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April 2011 Moms
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Insurance Question (for those who know it well!)

ThisisSheThisisShe
in April 2011 Moms

So at the moment, I'm living in London and have been for the past five years and have gotten quite used to the NHS. I am 23 and I have been covered Christmas or Summer, but now I have graduated university and am, well, 23. I don't know if I can still be/am still covered by my parent's insurance while pregnant (and I haven't told them yet..I was planning on telling them when I went back, so I may be worrying for nothing, but if the news doesn't go well........) and if not, would they be able to add me on (perhaps for an additional fee) If not, what is the likelihood of getting insurance on my own? I just graduated university in London and don't have a job in either country. I was planning on having my baby in America, but this has been really bothering me lately because I don't think it's something that would be easy for me to get in this current situation. Are there any alternatives for my baby and me? I just want to be able to get the care that I need during my pregnancy without adding more debt to my name beside my staggering uni loans!

 

Please give me some insight!!! (If it helps, I think my parent's insurance is Blue Cross Blue Shield my father has from his government job, but I really don't know much about it until I can break the news to them!)

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Re: Insurance Question (for those who know it well!)

  • ams8099ams8099 member

    I am sorry that I can't answer your questions. The only way to find out if you are still covered on your parent's policy is to call and ask. Each company will be different (However a part of the healthcare reform now states that children are covered until 26, but that's not kicked in yet). 

     

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  • Nechie122Nechie122 member
    Are you married? If so, your parents won't be able to add you because you can't be counted as a "dependent" anymore. If not, the answer will depend on the plan There are individual plans you can get, but they'll most likely count pregnancy as a pre-existing condition. Your beat bet in the States is to look into your state Medicaid program and/or find a job with benefits. Personally, I would deliver in London -- it would be much cheaper and your baby would have dual citizenship (assuming you're a US citizen.)
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  • ThisisSheThisisShe

    No, we aren't married (he is actually still techincally married to his first wife)

    I would have the baby in London, but I have to move back because of visa issues (the baby doesn't change the law unfortunately, and my boyfriend isn't ready to get married and I don't want him to do it just because of the baby) I honestly don't think they would let me back in while pregnant so I can have the baby here, especially since I was due to go back a while ago (I've stayed longer because of the pregnancy)

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  • Nechie122Nechie122 member
    Ah, ok. Your parents might be able to add you. If not, like I said, you could get state aid. Keep looking for a job here -- that's your best bet for "good" insurance. Good luck to you.
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  • ohiostategalohiostategal member
    While I was in law school I was able to stay on my parents plan until 24.  At that age I would phase off their plan.  I got married at 24 so that automatically kicked me off of it anyway.  Since we were both in school I got an individual plan to cover me until we graduated and could get insurance through out jobs.  The individual plan was really expensive and if you opted for the pregnancy coverage you had to pay for the plan for a year before it was covered.  I doubt many individual plans would cover an existing pregnancy.  I think best bet would be to try to get on your parents plan if possible.  When do you turn 24?  Each plan has a different age limit.  Also are you looking for a job that would offer health insurance.  If you have no gaps in insurance and get a job that offers health insurance, your pregnancy should be covered I think.  Good luck!
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  • ThisisSheThisisShe

    I just turned 23 this July. What do you think my chances are of getting a job while pregnant though? I don't find it very likely that many people will jump at the chance to hire someone who is currently pregnant and have to take maternity leave a few months after being hired...

     

    Thank you so so much for the advice by the way, it does make me feel a lot better! x

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  • ohiostategalohiostategal member
    imageMandersGoneBonkers:

    I just turned 23 this July. What do you think my chances are of getting a job while pregnant though? I don't find it very likely that many people will jump at the chance to hire someone who is currently pregnant and have to take maternity leave a few months after being hired...

     

    Thank you so so much for the advice by the way, it does make me feel a lot better! x

    Well I have no idea what field you are looking at or how far along you will be when you get back, but lots of women change jobs while pregnant.  If you aren't showing yet you don't have to tell them you are pregnant during the interview process.  It is illegal for them to not hire you for being pregnant.  However, as far as maternity leave goes, you will not have worked somewhere long enough to qualify for FMLA leave so you may not qualify for maternity leave.  Just depends on the employer's policy for general sick time I guess.  

    Dx with PCOS and IR June 2009
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  • ThisisSheThisisShe
    Well, preferably something in the Marketing Field as that is my degree or something like it. If I wouldn't qualify for maternity leave, what would I have to do in that case?
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  • ohiostategalohiostategal member

    imageMandersGoneBonkers:
    Well, preferably something in the Marketing Field as that is my degree or something like it. If I wouldn't qualify for maternity leave, what would I have to do in that case?

    Well FMLA is the legal requirement for certain companies (over 50 ees within a certain geographical area) to give employees that have worked for over a year up to 12 weeks off for qualifying medical conditions.  You won't have worked anywhere a year.  So in your case if the employer offers sick leave that you can take once earned, you could theoretically use whatever you have earned once the baby arrives.  The employer can't treat you differently than say someone who has their gallbladder removed.  However, if an employee doesn't have sick leave and the employer doesn't have leave of absence policies, they would not be legally required to give you any maternity leave.    

    Dx with PCOS and IR June 2009
    After two losses, third time was a charm.
    pm me for blog link
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  • ErlyjoErlyjo
    Hi!  Sorry for the late reply.  Dependent pregnancies are usually not covered on family policies.  However, some states require any complications related to the pregnancy to be covered.  You will really need to check with your parents' insurance carrier to be sure.  You're pregnancy will not be covered on an individual policy now that you are pregnant.  The pregnancy is a pre-existing condition and will not be covered.  You're best bet is to apply for Medicaid to cover the prenatal and delivery charges.  HTH  Good luck!
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