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Prenatal care dilemma...

manderson7079manderson7079
in 2nd Trimester

I will be 17 weeks tomorrow and we just recently moved from tx where my husband was back to ms where he has a job here. We make barely over the limit to get medicaid and don't make enough to pay for prenatal care at this time... Therefore I am without any prenatal care. I last went to the doctor when I was 10 weeks old and had an ultrasound done there... I also had a pap smear and some blood work and just my pap smear alone was 385 dollars.. Not counting all the other blood work, office visit, ultrasounds and so forth... I am now living in picayune where I went and had an ultrasound done because I saw and ad on craigslist and wanted to be able to check on my baby and make sure that it was still alive and thriving. I did that last week she only charged me 75 dollars... and it is a BOY, which I was excited about but now I am still at the 17 weeks with no doctor or prenatal care... Any advice would be appreciated.. I am going to try and apply for medicaid again...

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Re: Prenatal care dilemma...

  • Mjmksb04Mjmksb04 member
    Contact your local health department about getting on their WIC program and they may be able to point you in the direction of some other avenues to get low cost health insurance. I would be concerned that your u/s wasn't a true anatomy scan and she just told you the sex. I can't stress how important prenatal care is.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    DD #1 passed away in January 2011 at 14 days old due to congenital heart disease
    DD#2 lost in January 2012 at 23 weeks due to anhydramnios caused by a placental abruption
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  • vanillacouragevanillacourage member
    For $75 it was not a true anatomy scan, it was just a quick peek to determine gender.  Look into free health clinics in your area and contact your local health department, there are options for assistance there.
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    DS1 born June 2008 | m/c at 9w March 2011 | DS2 born April 2012
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  • 526SadieSadie526SadieSadie member

    That's a truly sucky situation to be in.  I'd advise you to be as healthy as you can be.  Eat well, exercize in moderation and take prenatal vitamins.  There might be walk-in clinics that can check your bp and stuff but if you're otherwise healthy you should be ok for a while.  Pay attention to your body.

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  • JLG95JLG95


    Your state department of health appears to have a program to help:

    https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/41,1581,225,168.html

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  • manderson7079manderson7079
    I am being very careful with my eating and doing the 30 mins of walking a day as advised by my previous doctor.... I am very small framed and this makes me very nervous for some reason ... I am only 4'11 ... But I am 23 and body is matured.., I have another appt. with medicaid this next week on the 8th so I hope to figure something out soon... I knew that is wasn't an anatomy scan but it gave me peace of mind knowing that he was moving and his heartbeat was right on track... after 7 weeks and no prenatal care I needed the reassurance... Thanks for the feedback thus far... It is greatly appreciated.
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  • funkymonkeyohyeahhhfunkymonkeyohyeahhh member
    Many OB practices offer a "package" for uninsured prenatal patients. You won't get any extra ultrasounds or genetic testing, but you'll get the basic prenatal care you need. Many hospitals also have the same sort of "packages" for vaginal or c-section delivery (a discounted flat fee you pay up front, assuming there are no complications).
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  • repedrickrepedrick member
    Most states have another medical program for women & children. Where I live Medicaid is available if you make below a certain income level and over that limit is this 2nd program. Call your health dept and ask what is available.
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  • manderson7079manderson7079
    Thank you sooo MUCH ... You are a lifesaver!!!
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  • lauren1205lauren1205
    I'm pretty sure they have to give you medicaid if you are pregnant.  Or at least have relaxed requirements.  Have you tried calling planned parenthood to see if there are any free clinics around you?
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
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  • lawrightlawright member

    Our local hospital has a clinic for uninsured/underinsured patients.  It's something like $2500 total for 100% of your prenatal care, as well as 100% of your delivery costs.  Check to see if there's a similar program available to you.

    Also, remember that most states have a special medicaid program for pregnant women and for well-child care.

    Last suggestion is to at least look into getting a low-cost individual health insurance plan.  It might not help so much with prenatal care now (since the premiums tend to be much higher) but it will at least cover 100% of the newborn's well-child visits without a co-pay, thanks to the new health care amendments.

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  • funkymonkeyohyeahhhfunkymonkeyohyeahhh member

    imagelauren1205:
    I'm pretty sure they have to give you medicaid if you are pregnant.  Or at least have relaxed requirements.  Have you tried calling planned parenthood to see if there are any free clinics around you?

    Not true. There are still income requirements that have to be met. They are a bit higher than regular Medicaid, but still generally "low". 

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  • sarahlynsarahlyn
    Another tip is to call your previous doctor's office and talk to billing/accounts department. I know at our local University hospital they will work out payment plans or offer discounted care to patients that don't have insurance. We have insurance and ended up getting hit with over $700 in bills for basic prenatal testing so I definitely feel ya on the costs of prenatal care. I also second the WIC suggestion. Also, look into whether or not there are any nurse managed centers in your area. These clinics are much less expensive than traditional practices. They are run by nurse practitioners and midwives with a partnership with a physician and typically offer the same prenatal care you would receive at an ob/gyn practice (many aren't available for delivery).
    Mrs. B Pregnancy Ticker
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  • JFH2010JFH2010 member
    I second the Planned Parenthood suggestion. The one near where I used to live offered subsidized care for un/underinsured patients.
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  • 526SadieSadie526SadieSadie member
    I hope everything works out for you and you get some answers soon!  It's scary to need to go to doctors when you can't afford it.  Best of luck to you and a H&H rest of your pregnancy!
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