Anyone in same boat or have a suggestion? (insurance related)

MandyWes · November 2009

Hmm, has anyone switched insurance carriers while pregnant? My DH is on my insurance but since I'm not coming back after maternity leave (unbeknownst to my work yet), I was planning on switching all 3 of us to his insurance once the baby's born BUT his company's open enrollment period is early January. (My EDD is Jan. 27th)

Do you think it's better for us to all stay on mine until she's born and have my insurance pay for everything pregnancy related or switch during his open enrollment in Jan and add the baby once she's born? Any suggestions? TIA!

qtjess1110 · November 2009

I would switch to dh.

Kdonn15 · November 2009

Switch yourself over during open enrollment. Your baby will/should be covered under your policy (whether it be through your employer or your husband's) until she is a month old and then she would need to be added to your husband's plan.

mrsjami · November 2009

Find out the effective date of the changes. My company has open enrollment now, but doesn't take effect until 1/1.

ernlei608 · November 2009

Check with HR, if you miss open enrollment there are things called "qualifiying events. ie birth of a child. I had to switch to another insurance plan a couple months ago and it's been hell. I would stay on the plan you are on now. It's a lot less headache. DH was eliglible for insurance at his new job this month, but didnt put me on it. We are waiting until LO is born and then we are going on his plan.

littlemaybaby · November 2009

Exact same situation actually!

I am staying on my insurance through the baby's birth and having my insurance pay for everything. It's way too complicated to change now, especially since I've already done my pre-admission for the hospital.

You do not have to switch during open enrollment. Any qualifying life event allows you to change coverage within a certain time period.

So in our situation, we are missing DH's open enrollment (this month), having the baby next month, and having my insurance cover me and the baby.

When I don't come back to work, that actually qualifies as a life event for my husband, and he can add LO and I to his policy at that time.

Check with your DH's company - but most places consider the change of employment status (and corresponding gain/loss in benefits) of a spouse as a "Life Event" that allow you to change coverage outside the open enrollment period.

GL!

jkfranklin · November 2009

ernlei608:

Check with HR, if you miss open enrollment there are things called "qualifiying events. ie birth of a child. I had to switch to another insurance plan a couple months ago and it's been hell. I would stay on the plan you are on now. It's a lot less headache. DH was eliglible for insurance at his new job this month, but didnt put me on it. We are waiting until LO is born and then we are going on his plan.

This!!! Life events usually include marriage, birth or adoption of a child, change in employment status...

ELPB · November 2009

I did, but only because my boss decided he didn't want to pay for mine anymore (which meant I had to be knocked down an hour a week to "not qualify" so that I could go on DH's- that's the way his policies work). It was a royal pain to make the switch. But I'm relieved now, knowing that we'll all 3 be on the same (better) plan.

I would compare plans- will his cover as much baby stuff as yours? If so, switch now!

vernab · November 2009

I personally would do it ahead of time. I switched onto DH's insurance before I even got pregnant and had a bunch of problems, I personally wouldn't wait and have to deal with all that just after having the baby. If it does take awhile, you're work could give you a hard time too.

jhoanna.delgado · November 2009

You should probably switch then add baby. You don't want to wait until after the baby b/c then you'll end up paying the deductible twice.

HelloDaisy · November 2009

I would switch based on the deductible. If your insurance has a deductible for you each to meet, and then you switch after baby is born, you will end up paying the deductible for you and baby on EACH insurance plan with the birth expenses and follow up visits.....

I would rather save the money and switch before I paid towards the deductible on my own, if I knew I would be switching to DH's pretty quickly. I guess it really depends on how high your deductible is on your current insurance.

Good luck!

MandyWes · November 2009

Thank you everyone! I'll let you know how it all turns out.

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Anyone in same boat or have a suggestion? (insurance related)

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