I'm pregnant, insurance question?

Question

Last year I was in college, so I was still able to have insurance through my parents. I found out a few weeks ago I was pregnant. I'm not going back until I have the baby. I still have insurance through my parents because I was in college. Do I need to inform my insurance company that I'm not in school any longer? Can I use my insurance to go to the doctor, I haven't been yet? Or is it illegal? I don't want to get myself or my parents into trouble.

Answer 1

You are covered by your parents untill age 22 because your going to college. Notify the insurance company about your delemma and telll them this is the reason your not in school. This did happen to you while you were in school so the insurance company should take care of you and your baby untill you both get out of the hospital.

Now once your both out of the hospital make sure that you have signed up for WICK in advance so you and baby will have some help.

My GranDaughter has just gone  through this same thing this past July 28th 2008, My Daughter's insurance covered her through the entire pregency untill they both were released from the hospital.

Good luck to you and Baby

Answer 2

It depends on your parents company policy. In my experience, if a student drops below full time status they are dropped as of the date of the semester in which they are no longer full time. Be sure to notify the employer within 30 days of the event to ensure you are eligible for COBRA (it is technically 60 days but better be safe). You can be covered on COBRA for up to 18 months or until you are at a full time status again. The coverage is the same, the premium is what will differ.

You can get in trouble for not notifying. A lot of times companies will do random audits and if it is found that you are not enrolled you will be dropped. COBRA may cost more but at least you have coverage.

Answer 3

The eligibility requirements vary with each company and employer,so you will have to contact the employer or the carrier for theirs. It's possible that you would be covered up to the new semester. They would be able to tell you if you are still eligible. If you are not eligible, you could still be seen by a doctor, but you would have to pay for it out of your pocket.-unless you elect COBRA (if the employer is over 20 employees, they are required to offer it).

In any case, if you are no longer covered by your parents insurance, you should be offered COBRA which will cover your pregnancy without any kind of pre-existing exclusion. The premium will be more expensive than what your parents are paying however, since you will have to pay the entire premium without the amount the employer pays toward it.

You won't get anyone in "trouble" for going to the doctor-the insurance will deny the visit and you (or your parents) will be billed.

Answer 4

it depends on how many semesters you are going to sit out. Your are okay until it time for your parent to have open enrollment then they may ask for student verification. It also depends on your age as long as you are 23 or over you should be good?

Answer 5

Corgi is right -- you need to notify the company and get on COBRA - also nee to check out if the baby will be covered under COBRA or if you'll need a policy for the baby once it's born.

Answer 6

You need to inform them that you're not attending school, and find out how much longer you will be eligible if you don't enroll until the baby is born.

The insurer will ask for proof of full time student enrollment at least once a year - if you can't prove that, they can retroactively cancel you until the last date you were actually eligible on the policy.

If the baby has already been born, they can (and will) request a refund from the doctors and hospitals who treated you.  And then the doctors and hospitals will come after you for the bills.

This will back you into a corner, because once the baby is born and your insurance payments have been taken back from the doctor/hospital, there are no programs to help you pay.

However, if you are proactive and take care of things in advance, you may find that you are eligible for COBRA and/or Medicaid.  Waiting until the insurance company "catches" you for not being a full time student will reduce the options available to you...don't take that risk!

Answer 7

You'll want to find out because it may be cheaper to enroll in school then pay for COBRA coverage.  Have your parents ask or call the insurance company yourself.  Just don't tell them you're pregnant or that you're NOT going to school.  Get the answer first.