If you are an expecting mother, it is important to have a good health insurance that covers you and your baby. The average bill for having a baby is more than $6000 for a normal delivery, while it is about $11,000 in case of a cesarean delivery. In addition to this, there may be unexpected bills for various exams and tests. In order to avoid financial hassles, it is always better to get insured as you plan for pregnancy.

With a good health insurance plan, you can rely on the plan for prenatal and maternity care. Once the baby is born, the insurance will cover pediatric visits and immunization bills. Doing so will help you maintain financial budget even if you quit your job during pregnancy.

Health Insurance and Pregnancy

According to American Health association, about 13 percent pregnant women in the United States are uninsured. Many pregnant women face problems while obtaining a health insurance after pregnancy. This is due to the fact that insurance companies regard pre-existing condition as a different category. The insurance companies are reluctant to cover people who require immediate medical attention.

The outcomes may be high premium health insurance plans and/or waiting periods for a few months. If you obtain health insurance before getting pregnant, the premium amount will be according to the standard norms. Nevertheless, waiting periods may be an issue as a pregnant woman requires regular visits to physician’s office for normal check up and other diagnostic exams and tests.

If you have an individual health insurance plan, inquire about the coverage for pregnancy. The insurance company may ask for extra premium called optional rider. You are required to pay this optional rider every time you pay the premium. Another benefit is that you can drop the rider anytime as per your decision. While opting for the optional maternity rider, make sure you understand the details of the coverage amount, newborn coverage, deductibles (if any) and other regulations.

Health Insurance Coverage for Pregnancy

If you are working in a firm or company with more than 15 employees, then you can inquire about the health insurance plan provided by your employer. According to federal jurisdictions, the plan should should cover all pregnancy-related hospital or medical bills. In such a condition, you don’t have to worry about the coverage for pregnancy.

In another case, if you are working for an employer with less employees, you can ask for group health insurance that covers pregnancy. Group plans are less expensive in comparison to individual policies. If you are changing the job during pregnancy, it is better to continue the insurance plan provided by your previous employer, until your delivery. Though you are covered by another new health insurer, there are chances that your new employer impose a waiting period before making you eligible for the pregnancy coverage.

In case you are uninsured, you can apply for the government assistance programs like Medicaid and AmeriPlan, provided that you meet the low-income requirements. You can contact the state insurance agent and gather information about discount programs. There are certain discount cards available, which can avail about 30 percent savings for the pregnant women. For having a standard hospital birth and providing proper care to your newborn, it is important to plan ahead for a good health insurance plan that covers both pre-natal care and maternity.