Insurance

Does your pregnant daughter not have health insurance?

FoxBusiness.com recently ran an article titled "Women Without Employer Health Plans Pay a Big Price For Pregnancy".

The article says that "One common way insurers handle maternity coverage is to charge a rider on top of the regular monthly premium. The study found riders that ranged from $106 to $1,100 per month, required waiting periods of one to two years with either no or limited coverage during that period and capped total maximum benefits as low as $2,000 to $6,000.
Given that the average cost in 2006 of a hospital-based uncomplicated delivery was $7,488 -- although considerably higher for C-sections and more complicated births -- many women would end up spending less on maternity care if they paid all costs out of pocket instead of buying a rider."

Still want to buy insurance? When shopping for insurance for your pregnant daughter, the article recommends you ask these questions:

1. Is there a maximum out-of-pocket limit for maternity coverage?
2. Is there a waiting period for coverage to kick in?
3. What are cost differences between in-network or out-of-network services?
4. Is my favorite provider (obstetrician or hospital) in-network?
5. Is there a deductible or co-pay for prenatal, delivery and postpartum services?
6. Does the policy pay for a home birth or birth center delivery?

What can you do instead of buying maternity coverage? Do not skip doctors appointments just because you don't have insurance... getting care as early as possible can help make sure that any problems are found before they get out of control.

Apply for medicaid even if you think you're not elligible... let them make the decision.

Talk to your doctor's office and the hospital (in advance of giving birth) to see if you can negotiate a discount or payment plan.

There are a few discount programs (not insurance) that you can explore.

Take the effort to have the healthiest pregnancy possible: research how to eat right, get appropriate exercise, get lots of sleep, and find out what prenatal vitamin is right for you.