What are my best options for self-employed health insurance with maternity in Illinois?

Question

I am leaving a well paid corporate job with great benefits to work for myself. I was recently married and my wife wants to have children soon. She does not have benefits through her job so I need to ensure we are covered well. What are some great options for affordable health coverage in Illinois that includes maternity and what's the time frame before maternity coverage kicks in?

Answer 1

Maternity is very expensive on an individual policy.  The wait is usually 1 year, meaning the pregnancy can't begin until after a year has elapsed.  Maternity is about $350 to $450 extra a month.  But it is very worth it if there are any complications.  

Probably BCBS is your best bet.  

You can get a quote by going to www.bcbsil.com, just enter your zip and go from there.  

You might consider a high deductible HSA plan too, but you would still need to add maternity to that plan.

Answer 2

It depends if you get a personal policy, or a business policy. Since you are going to work for yourself, you may be able to get group coverage. You may need a minimum of two employees- you are one employee, your wife is the other. If that is the case, you may not have to wait for your wife to get pregnant. You will get a certificate from your present insurer evidencing that you have had coverage for the past year, and you will show this as evidence to the new insurer. You should also consider how long you can extend your current coverage under cobra and the cost. It is usually a good idea to get off COBRA asap. See an insurance agent that has a good grasp of the issues. Best of luck to you--

p.s-- you will be able to deduct your health costs when you are self-employed, so that helps because the premiums are so high. But, be prepared to pay a lot in premium dollars. It costs a lot! You have your youth going for you, though. If your wife is in her child bearing years, she can't be that old!