Community› The Bump Message Boards› 1st Trimester
1st Trimester
New Discussion

Insurance issue-- WWYD? (long)

EmandChris08EmandChris08 member
in 1st Trimester

Okay, so let me preface this by saying that this was a surprise BFP. Given my current insurance situation, I didn't get pg at the best time... but we're still extremely excited and happy.

So anyway, I'm a teacher and I lost my job at the end of the school year in June 2009. My insurance coverage ended a couple months later. We looked into COBRA but I wasn't eligible for the subsidy and we just couldn't afford to spend $1,000/month on insurance while I was unemployed. DH can get insurance through his work but he works for a really small company, so the insurance really wouldn't be affordable for us either. Since we are both healthy adults, we just decided to go without for awhile until I got another job.

Well, a couple months ago I got hired for a teaching position for the upcoming school year, and DH and I will be getting terrific benefits package through my new job. THe only problem is, my coverage doesn't start until 9/1.

I called my OB and they want to see me in a couple weeks for a consultation, then the week after that for my first appt/ultrasound. Both of these dates will be before my insurance kicks in. I asked for a ballpark of how much these appts. would cost and she said the consultation will be like $300, appt w/ OB $400, ultrasound $250.... So we're talking like $1,000!

My mom suggested maybe I should have my first appointment at Planned Parenthood since they charge on a sliding scale based on income, then once I'm covered by my new insurance, transfer to the OB's office.

Sorry this was so long. WWYD? 

Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
Report Reply to Post

Re: Insurance issue-- WWYD? (long)

  • ermimacermimac member
    I would either go to PP or wait until Sept 1 to schedule your first apt. There is no way I would pay that much OOP.
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker BabyFruit Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • DefiantRoseDefiantRose
    Go with PP, that will be a good start for you, and a good way to get on the right path, then when your insurance kicks in go ahead and switch over.  I went to the PP here for my yearly stuff while I was in college, and it was definitely worth it.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker BabyFruit Ticker
    Report Reply
  • jess478jess478 member
    I would suggest PP for your first appt.  So long as you're not high risk there's really no reason they can't wait on the u/s.  My doctor doesn't do an u/s until 20 weeks unless there's a reason to.  You could also ask to speak to your doctor to see if he/she sees any reason you couldn't hold off your first appt. to 9/1.  Exactly how far along are you?
    Report Reply
  • TexasLadyBugTexasLadyBug
    My first appointment and u/s was not until 9 weeks, so if I were you I would hold out until then. I think you should be around 9-10 weeks by then. The consult is just going to be a bunch of paperwork, not worth spending $300 IMHO. You can get and fill out that paper work when you go in and your insurance kicks in. 
    Photobucket
    Report Reply
  • TexasLadyBugTexasLadyBug
    Also, if you are not already go ahead and get started on PNV. PP would be a good place to do that as others suggested.
    Photobucket
    Report Reply
  • awaymire79awaymire79

    imageermimac:
    I would either go to PP or wait until Sept 1 to schedule your first apt. There is no way I would pay that much OOP.

    I completely agree!!!

    Report Reply
  • wall0307wall0307 member
    I would go to PP.  That's a lot of money.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • hmonttyhmontty member
    From what I've read, pregnancy does not count as a preexisting condition -- IF you've maintained continuous coverage. Since you haven't, I'm not sure you will be covered under your new insurance. You should check into this.
    Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers

    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • EmandChris08EmandChris08 member

    imagehmontty:
    From what I've read, pregnancy does not count as a preexisting condition -- IF you've maintained continuous coverage. Since you haven't, I'm not sure you will be covered under your new insurance. You should check into this.

    I know, I've heard this before, too, and I'm a little afraid... I'm going to contact my new insurance company ASAP to find out... please keep your fingers crossed for me! The last thing I need right now is to have to fight with the insurance company. 

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • *KC*luvs*RJ**KC*luvs*RJ*
    I would just tell your OB you can't have an appt prior to Sept 1, because you'll have on insurance until then, and make an appt for that week.  They might give you a lecture, but what are you going to do?
    Report Reply
  • *KC*luvs*RJ**KC*luvs*RJ*
    imageEmandChris08:

    imagehmontty:
    From what I've read, pregnancy does not count as a preexisting condition -- IF you've maintained continuous coverage. Since you haven't, I'm not sure you will be covered under your new insurance. You should check into this.

    I know, I've heard this before, too, and I'm a little afraid... I'm going to contact my new insurance company ASAP to find out... please keep your fingers crossed for me! The last thing I need right now is to have to fight with the insurance company. 

    I wouldn't worry about this because you'll still be pretty early on September 1.  For all they know, you may have just discovered you're pregnant, since you'll be setting up your first appointment. 

     If you were more like 25 weeks, well then you may be looking at some issues.

    Report Reply
  • MoeinOCMoeinOC member
    I was told that it is considered a preexisting condition, at least by the disability insurance I'm signing up for since I'm not eligible for SDI.  I also had the insurance agent tell me that as long as it is NOT diagnosed be a dr. before your insurance starts, then it can't be officially preexisting. From what I've read, most doctors don't have the first appointment until 8-10 weeks anyway, so maybe you can put it off?
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker "My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite." -Romeo and Juliet Act II, Scene 2
    Report Reply
  • cozylittlecavecozylittlecave

    imagejess478:
    I would suggest PP for your first appt.  So long as you're not high risk there's really no reason they can't wait on the u/s.  My doctor doesn't do an u/s until 20 weeks unless there's a reason to.  You could also ask to speak to your doctor to see if he/she sees any reason you couldn't hold off your first appt. to 9/1.  Exactly how far along are you?

    this! I would only be willing to pay big bucks like that if you or the doc had a specific concern (with reason to worry). Otherwise, a clinic that will be cheaper would definitely suffice until September. Although- as others have pointed out, if you can, just schedule that first appt for later.

    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    www.cozylittlecave.com
    Report Reply
  • _lobsters___lobsters__

    I found out that I was expecting the DAY AFTER I received my offer letter for a new job. So I sorta know where you're coming from! My insurance also kicks in on September first. I called the Midwife, told her my situation and she said that a September 2nd appointment would be fine. 8-12 weeks is when they'd like to see you. I'll be 11weeks and 5days by then.

    PP sounds like a good plan in the mean time. You'll only have to go once before you're covered by your insurance, so that's nice!

    And in terms of the preexisting condition, from what I understand, it varies by state. In PA, pregnancy is NOT considered a preexisting condition. And check with your employer. I was also under the impression that I wouldn't qualify for Short Term Disability, but as it turns out, my new job INCLUDES it into their insurance package. So, even with already knowing I'm pregnant, I'll qualify for 30 days PAID LEAVE through Short Term Disability. Well, that's considering that I go full term (at least 7 months at my new job). But still!

    Good Luck!

    Report Reply
  • hmonttyhmontty member

    imageMoeinOC:
    I was told that it is considered a preexisting condition, at least by the disability insurance I'm signing up for since I'm not eligible for SDI.  I also had the insurance agent tell me that as long as it is NOT diagnosed be a dr. before your insurance starts, then it can't be officially preexisting. From what I've read, most doctors don't have the first appointment until 8-10 weeks anyway, so maybe you can put it off?

     

    Yeah, for disability insurance, it is preexisting -- in other words, you have to buy the insurance before you get pregnant. Health insurance is a little different. It's not preexisting as long as you have employer coverage and as long as you have continuous coverage (so if you change jobs in the middle of a pregnancy and go right from one insurance to another, you're OK; however, if you lose a job and your insurance, then get a new job later, or if you go from employer covered to an individual plan, you often are not).

     At least, that is what I've read.

    Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers

    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"