No insurance, now what? questions

Hickey2Alvarado

Hello Everybody!! 

I have been a lurker on these forums for a while now, and am finally ready to jump into the conversations and be brave enough to ask all those 'stupid' questions!!

I have tested positive twice with those 'pee on the stick' home pregnancy tests!! YAY And that is where my questions start!

First, I have no insurance at all. My job does not offer it and my hubby's is astronomical to add me. I used to go to the South Carolina DHEC office in my area to get my birth control. I have an appt Wed afternoon to 'prove pregnancy' (i assume a blood test) and to sign up for WIC. I don't know what else I need to do?! Am I doing this right?

Also, I know what WIC is and all that, but what happens when I don't qualify? (I assume that I'm not because I assume that my hubby and I 'make too much' even though we hardly make anything at all) Not to get all political or whatnot, but I doubt that I will be 'poor enough' to get it even though I see many moms to be with it and 10x more than I have!

Also, will DHEC be the place that I go instead of a Doctor? Im flying blind here and have no idea where or what I need to do! If not, how do I find a doctor I can afford?

Thanks for listening and for all your support and answers!!  Im glad to have a safe place to talk with people just like me!! HUGS and CONGRATS to all!

~sheshe 

tobysnuggles

It can be expensive to add yourself to your hubby's insurance, but if you do not qualify for any govt assistance it will likely be cheaper then paying out of pocket. You may be able to negotiate payments based on a sliding scale based on your income as well. Some hospitals have payment plans so call around.

Plus, an alternative to insurance are medical discount plans where you pay x amount per month and get discounts on the services. 

Good luck I'm sure it will work out! 

IBackBevo

Insurance is expensive. My DH and I pay $984 a month out of pocket for our insurance.  But having a baby (especially if something were to go wrong and yoru LO were to end up in the NICU) is even more $$$.  A friend of mine had premie twins and their total bill was six figures by the time the babies came home. 

If you don't qualify for government assistance, then I would try to get on your husband's insurance before you get your pregnancy medically confirmed because (I think) some carriers can deny it as a preexisting condition if you were completely uninsured.  I am not 100% on this though, as I am not an expert on insurance.

With that said, the income requirement is much higher (i.e. you can make more) and still get on medicaid while you are pregnant.  Someone on here awhile back was able to get medicaid even making having like $40k total household income a year. Personally, I think that is a little ridiculous it is that high, but don't let my opinion affect you.  Take advantage of it if you quality. I'm just a little bitter about these things because my DH and I put off having a baby until we could truly afford it and, in turn, it ended up almost costing me my ability to have kids due to DOR. :P

Mama_B

One thing to consider is that if your husbands job is the one insurance is thru it is pre-taxed.  Weigh your options and talk his his hr person before committing to a separate policy.  While it may seem like a ton of money they will base his federal taxes after that amount is deducted.

CraftyKayla

You may qualify for medicaid and your state may have other programs. You also may want to check into free ultrasound clinics in your area that do those, and give you help.

daronsmommy

Do some research on pregnancy Medicaid in your state. The income guidelines are higher for pregnancy Medicaid than regular. I would definately fill out the application, the worst thing they can do is deny you coverage. If you can get added to your H's insurance, that would be another option, but you may not be able to. I was told my DH could add me as soon as the baby was born, but not now. I am not in your state, but have just gone through all this, if you have other questions I'll be glad to try to help. Good luck!

dragonfly17

My husband and I work for ourselves so naturally we don't have maternity insurance. Anyway, we are doing a birth center birth. For everything it's only 5,000! Quite affordable.

Hickey2Alvarado

Thanks everyone for the comments!! They are helping me to get the balls rolling and thinking!

 Updates coming in later today, headed to DHEC (dept of health) today for a 'proof of preg." and WIC signup!

Dragonfly17, what is a birth center birth?  

Thanks everyone!! 

gnomely

Hickey2Alvarado:

Thanks everyone for the comments!! They are helping me to get the balls rolling and thinking!

 Updates coming in later today, headed to DHEC (dept of health) today for a 'proof of preg." and WIC signup!

Dragonfly17, what is a birth center birth?  

Thanks everyone!! 

Birthing at a birth center with midwives. It may or may not be available to you in your state or city. 

Also, we did this for my first birth. And I had to transfer--which meant paying for two births. So, that's something to consider.