Insurance question

jandaj1359 · August 2010

I pretty much just lurk on these boards, but I have a question.

Just found out DH and I are expecting. Probably not the best planning on our part, but we are beyond excited. Not sure if anybody can help me on this, but I am just starting a new job next week and am pretty sure the insurance won't kick in for a month. I just graduated with my doctorate and my student health insurance runs out at the end of August. Basically, I'm uninsured for a month (I think). DH is a small business owner and is in the same insurance situation - he was, and will be on my insurance.

Would it be suspicious to call about my insurance benefits with my new job (exactly when they start, etc)? Or to attempt to extend my benefits through the school for another month? I've been living in the bubble of student health insurance for so long that I am not exactly sure where to go with my issue.

Also, as far as the pregnancy itself, would it be terrible if I didn't call my doctor until after insurance kicks in? I'm 25 and healthy, if that means anything. I wouldn't expect it to be high-risk at this point. I keep thinking some women don't find out they are expecting until 8+ weeks, and some physicians don't even want to see patients until 8-10 weeks so it wouldn't be that big of a deal. At the same time, I don't want anything to be wrong because of my poor planning and lack of money.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

MrsBeckaT615 · August 2010

How far along are you?

jandaj1359 · August 2010

According to the (not-necessarily accurate) due date calculator, I'd be 4 weeks.

j&j508 · August 2010

I would call your new employer and talk to HR. Just say that you're trying to decide whether to extend your old employer's benefits, and you'd like to know when new benefits begin. That's a totally legit question, whether you're pregnant or not. You can probably qualify for COBRA in the interim if there is a gap in coverage.

jandaj1359 · August 2010

Thank you. That sounds great.

FutureMrsCaesar · August 2010

First I'd call your new companys HR dept and find out exactly when your insurance will kick in, and what kind of insurance it is, etc.

Second, it's totally fine to call your Dr now and schedule your appointment for 4-8 weeks out. Tell them when your new insurance kicks in and that you'd like to be seen at that time (a first appointment between 8-12 weeks is totally normal and reasonable). With my first child my yearly deductible reset right at 12 weeks, so I asked my Dr if I could get my first trimester bloodwork done after it reset and she was totally fine and flexible with that (it was like $800 of a $1000 deductible).

6fsn · August 2010

Your employment package should have the info on when your coverage starts. 99% of the time it's on the first date of employment. Is there any way to start your job earlier? If not I'd get COBRA to make sure you are covered.

Whazzatk · August 2010

6fsn:
Your employment package should have the info on when your coverage starts. 99% of the time it's on the first date of employment. Is there any way to start your job earlier? If not I'd get COBRA to make sure you are covered.

This is false. I work in HR and most companies in my area do not start coverage until after 30 or 90 days.

thebigmare · August 2010

jandaj1359:
I pretty much just lurk on these boards, but I have a question.
Just found out DH and I are expecting. Probably not the best planning on our part, but we are beyond excited. Not sure if anybody can help me on this, but I am just starting a new job next week and am pretty sure the insurance won't kick in for a month. I just graduated with my doctorate and my student health insurance runs out at the end of August. Basically, I'm uninsured for a month (I think). DH is a small business owner and is in the same insurance situation - he was, and will be on my insurance.
Would it be suspicious to call about my insurance benefits with my new job (exactly when they start, etc)? Or to attempt to extend my benefits through the school for another month? I've been living in the bubble of student health insurance for so long that I am not exactly sure where to go with my issue.
Also, as far as the pregnancy itself, would it be terrible if I didn't call my doctor until after insurance kicks in? I'm 25 and healthy, if that means anything. I wouldn't expect it to be high-risk at this point. I keep thinking some women don't find out they are expecting until 8+ weeks, and some physicians don't even want to see patients until 8-10 weeks so it wouldn't be that big of a deal. At the same time, I don't want anything to be wrong because of my poor planning and lack of money.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

It is perfectly natural to want to know when your health benefits kick in. Non-pregnant people want to know that too!!!

I would try and go to your doc BEFORE your insurance runs out.

drpayne · August 2010

Depending on when your insurance kicks in, you might want to skip the cobra coverage and just pay out of pocket for the first couple of visits. If they know you're cash pay, they will charge you far less than they would if they filed through your insurance. Cobra can be really expensive!