Need family insurance help?

Question

Looking to switch to an affordable health plan for the family in Florida. Problem is we are planning our second child soon and I've noticed that the family plans out there won't let you have maternity until a year waiting period. My wife also had a C-section with our first and likely will have to with the second. I am using Cobra right now and it's just too expensive. Any suggestions on getting some coverage that will help with the planning of our expanding family?

Answer 1

Yep, maternity coverage on a private policy is pretty much a "prepaid" thing - you have to have coverage in place for at least 9 months BEFORE conception.  

Family coverage - without maternity - costs about $1000 a month.  That's what it costs.  But you know that, if you're paying COBRA.  

My suggestion - don't plan on a hospital birth.  Hospitals have, at best, a 25% VBAC delivery rate.  Midwives with a homebirth have about an 80% VBAC rate, and will do all your prenatal care and the delivery, for under $4,000.

Do the research yourself.  I think  you'll be surprised.

Answer 2

It is true that the C section is covered by major medical and that maternity coverage isn't worth it.

Go to my website for free quotes.  I am in Florida and would be happy to consult over the phone - no charge.

Answer 3

Be aware that a C-section is considered a "complication of pregnancy" and are covered by a comprehensive plan even if you don't have maternity coverage.

Insurance is about risk. Since only women planning on getting pregnant will get the coverage the insurance company will impose waiting conditions either by a time period  before anything is covered or by reduced benefits at the beginning of the coverage.

Maternity coverage is more of a pre-payment plan. If you do the math you'll find that, unless your timing is perfect, the amount of additional premium you pay will be more than the insurance company will pay for your maternity coverage. This is true even with group policies, because everyone in the group pays more for their coverage, even single males.

You'll want to set down with a local agent that works with all the major companies in your area. Figure the premium with and without the maternity and compare the difference to the average cost of having a baby without complications in your area.

Answer 4

Many companies don't even offer maternity anymore.

Blue Cross in FL has a 30 day wait. You may want to look at the high deductible HSA plans the premiums are so much lower that even when you add in the deductible it often comes out lower than the traditional coverage.

I would also check out Assurant Health they have a better HSA plan than BC

Your best be is to talk to a broker that offers a wide variety of plans.

Answer 5

Try checking with Blue Cross Blue Shield.