Health Insurance worries...

sdeidra · March 2012

I am currently between day job (self employed mainly), so I do not currently have health insurance. My husband's enrollment for his insurance is not until December. Any suggestions for insurance plans, ideas? I have not yet been to the doctor but obviously need to schedule something with my dr in a few weeks.

Help!

rebecca1198 · March 2012

Can you say that there's been a change in your employment status so that he can put you on his plan outside of annual enrollment in December?

hmontty · March 2012

I believe in many plans, pregnancy is not a preexisting condition. You might have to just purchase insurance, if not for your whole family, then at least for you and the baby.

hmontty · March 2012

rebecca1198:
Can you say that there's been a change in your employment status so that he can put you on his plan outside of annual enrollment in December?

Or this! I misunderstood and thought you meant that your husband started a new job and won't get insurance until December.

A change of employment is considered a valid life change that should allow him to change his enrollment now.

sdeidra · March 2012

Yeah we are working on it but they originally told him its not a life change unless I was offered insurance at my previous job. I am basically self employed, I have my own small business and just work a day job for the benefits and extra money.

MichelleL1118 · March 2012

PPs are right, if he says there's been a change in your employment status (or your coverage status - i.e. you've lost insurance), then he can add you outside of the open enrollment period. He needs to call his HR people ASAP and ask what the steps are to make changes to his policy due to changes in your employment/coverage status. It should just be form he has to fill out, and you should get added within 30 days. Since your OB probably won't want to see you until sometime between 8-10w, you should be able to get your coverage started before you ever see the doc.

sarahellen2010 · March 2012

When you are pregnant, you most always become eligible for your state's Medicaid program if you do not have any other insurance available to you. You should be able to get on Medicaid at least until you become eligible for your husband's insurance. Call your local Department of Human Services, or whatever the equivalent is in your area and talk to them about completing an application. Hope this helps

sdeidra · March 2012

Good idea, thanks! Hopefully we can work something out so we can get me on his insurance.

526SadieSadie · March 2012

hmontty:
I believe in many plans, pregnancy is not a preexisting condition. You might have to just purchase insurance, if not for your whole family, then at least for you and the baby.

I agree with this. If you have always been self-employed and weren't previously covered by a company plan, its unlikely they'll consider it a life change to override the open enrollment period (my company wouldn't). Start researching a plan just for yourself. The birth of your child is a life event that will qualify for coverage under your husband's plan, regardless of open enrollment so all he has to do is make sure he has the paperwork ready to add the baby - and make sure you get a social security number for him/her right away.

It looks like you might be stuck paying for a plan, but at least baby will be covered right away...

mschocokitty · March 2012

Most states have something to help out the uninsured regardless of income. If you don't qualify for medicaid, there may still be something for middle income women. I live in California which has this program. https://www.aim.ca.gov/Home/default.aspx

If you are already pregnant, you will have a hard time getting new insurance coverage. I was trying to find a family policy for my husband, stepdaughter, and me, but kept hearing that it was considered a preexisting condition. My insurance, which I pay for myself, didn't have maternity coverage. Fortunately, Kaiser was able to switch me to a plan that covered maternity, but I will pay quite a significant deductible when all is said and done.

Skooled917 · March 2012

526SadieSadie:

hmontty:
I believe in many plans, pregnancy is not a preexisting condition. You might have to just purchase insurance, if not for your whole family, then at least for you and the baby.

I agree with this. If you have always been self-employed and weren't previously covered by a company plan, its unlikely they'll consider it a life change to override the open enrollment period (my company wouldn't). Start researching a plan just for yourself. The birth of your child is a life event that will qualify for coverage under your husband's plan, regardless of open enrollment so all he has to do is make sure he has the paperwork ready to add the baby - and make sure you get a social security number for him/her right away.

It looks like you might be stuck paying for a plan, but at least baby will be covered right away...

This. I work in HR and you need a change of life status in order to be added to your husband's coverage. This means birth, death, or loss of insurance elsewhere...not becoming pregnant. Also, at my company you need proof that your coverage is being terminated; this is asked by the insurance company, not us.

I don't want to pry, but how old are you? If you are 26 or under, you can get on your parents plan with no questions asked. You can be married, employed full-time, whatever, and still be under your parents plan.

Or you can also do what other suggest and look into healthcare provided by your state, but you usually have to meet certain salary minimums.

Good luck!

WannaBMommy81 · March 2012

I am surprised it isn't considered a "life change" I was using the cafeteria plan and after my m/c they allowed me to change it since it was considered a "death in the family" when my baby was never actually "born" (I was 12 weeks)

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