Laid off- in a panic.

mmiller7460 · September 2013

I was laid off from my job and my health insurance benefits end October 1st. COBRA would be about $1000 month, which we cannot afford. I have called my OB asking about payment plans and for basic checkups etc it will be $2000... up front. I called the hospital and they will want about $8000. I have an appointment October 9th to check the baby for abnormalities and that appointment will be $1400 up front.

I am in a panic. I thought that doctors and hospitals would work with you when you didn't have insurance, but I am finding in my area that that isn't the case. We literally cannot afford to pay thousands of dollars up front, especially now that I do not have a job.

I am going to attempt to get on Medicaid, but looking at the requirements I do not know if my husband and I will qualify.

DH's work does not provide health insurance.

I am at a loss of what to do. Everything was great- my work provided excellent insurance and now it feels like everything is crashing down. Jobs are VERY hard to come by in my area, especially ones with insurance. I do not want to go without checkups but what in the world do we do when we can't walk in the door with $2000?

spinsoffresonance · September 2013

I'm sorry you're going through this. I don't have much advice. Is it even legal for them to lay off a pregnant woman? Maybe consult a lawyer and see if you can get a better severance package? I just want to point out that $1000/month for COBRA for 10 months will be cheaper than the fees they're asking you upfront. So don't dismiss it if you can't find another solution. Especially that you don't know how much delivery will end up costing you. When all was said and done i had over $60,000 of hospital/Ob/pedi bills for my c-section last year and that was a healthy delivery with no complications.

BTW, I sort of remember someone posted on TB that they had Medicaid, even though they wouldn't normally qualify for it but could get it because she was pregnant.

MallardDucky · September 2013

First breathe! Call the billing department and see what can be done, you might have to change doctors or maybe even a home birth route. Research your options in your area

heyheyklee · September 2013

This happened to me! I've always worked in healthcare and had great insurance. I just got laid off in May and got pregnant in June. When I found out I was pregnant I made an appointment for the very next day for the Community Health Center. They saw me and signed me up for medicaid. In NY a pregnant woman is considered 2 people and needs to make at least $2400 a month which was not even close to what I was getting on Unemployment. My boyfriend is employed full time but due to the fact we are not married he is not responsible for me.

Don't freak out, even if your husband makes close to the amount or that much they will still offer you assistance. Especially when you're pregnant! There are also low cost health plans that are usually free or low cost to pregnant women.

I was in the same boat as you! Everything is working out for me, explore your options. There are many!

imakeeff0rts · September 2013

I'm really sorry about your situation. I will definitely send some T's and P's your way that you're able to find something or work something out.

I don't know if this is an option for you, but going to a midwife is definitely cheaper than hospital//general OB visits if you have a healthy pregnancy, so you may want to consider looking into that.

I'm sure there are other programs around. Contact the pregnancy crisis center in your area or a women's center. They will have some information that can help you.

nixie321 · September 2013

Now is the time to research. There has got to be some programs that provide assistance at a sliding scale or free for this. I would definitely give Medicaid a shot though because if nothing else you can explain your situation and they can either work with you or give you some referrals.
I had to research my options and the first place I started was actually Planned Parenthood. Here in CA they are a good hub of information of what programs are out there. All the best!

mcgeeva · September 2013

It can be legal depending on your state. I am in VA - which is an at will state. So unless you can prove they specifically started treating you different there isn't much you can do. My company's biggest client just got completly bought out and we are going to know about layoffos soon. I can't even imagine being laid off either considering im high risk and the bills are already coming in. There has to be other insurance options out there!! But I know with being pregnant and it being a pre-exhisting condition makes it a little more complicated to find something. I'm so sorry about your job loss.

kellyc07 · September 2013

I am so sorry you are going through this, the same thing happened to me when I was pregnant with my first child, luckily I was able to get Medicaid and everything worked out just fine. It actually worked to my advantage bc nobody wanted to hire a pregnant PT and I was able to collect and stay home with my daughter longer than I would have with maternity leave. Good luck

spinsoffresonance · September 2013

GhostMonkey said:

lica001 said:

I'm sorry you're going through this. I don't have much advice. Is it even legal for them to lay off a pregnant woman? Maybe consult a lawyer and see if you can get a better severance package? I just want to point out that $1000/month for COBRA for 10 months will be cheaper than the fees they're asking you upfront. So don't dismiss it if you can't find another solution. Especially that you don't know how much delivery will end up costing you. When all was said and done i had over $60,000 of hospital/Ob/pedi bills for my c-section last year and that was a healthy delivery with no complications.

BTW, I sort of remember someone posted on TB that they had Medicaid, even though they wouldn't normally qualify for it but could get it because she was pregnant.

For the love of fucking God.

Being pregnant does not exempt you from being laid off. You can't be fired because you are pregnant, but you can be fired/laid off.

Most jobs don't have severance packages. But yeah, let's consult a lawyer and pay them tens of thousands to go after something that doesn't exist. Money well spent. She's getting COBRA because that's required by law.

Relax. In the EU and Switzerland where I'm from it is illegal to lay off/ fire a pregnant woman or a woman on maternity leave, so I don't think that was a ridiculous question at all. I was honestly shocked that OP is going through this. It's just sad how little protection/benefits woman get in the US.

ebettley · September 2013

Many states offer health insurance for expectant mothers. I would look into it! Good luck!

Charleyrose · September 2013

How pregnant are you? What about working somewhere temporarily like Starbucks or waiting tables just to at least get the benefits? I am so sorry you are going through this, how horrible and stressful for you both

I hope it all works out. Best of luck to you!

ABColeslaw · September 2013

We lost health insurance for a brief amount of time when I was pregnant with my son. I lived in NH then and at the time pregnancy was considered a pre-existing condition, so we couldn't even buy into our own plan. The state also offered nothing for pregnant Mamas who weren't below the poverty line. Honestly, I'm not proud of this, but we used my IL's address in Massachusetts so we could pay for a Massachusetts plan, it cost almost what you're going to pay for Cobra though

In the end, we moved back to Massachusetts to protect ourselves and our son. It also meant my H getting a different job that would provide health insurance. Relocating and New Jobs, it sounds overwhelming, but you have to do what you have to do. Going without prenatal care is just not a good decision.

I'm sorry, it is a lot to worry about, I was very stressed at the time. I would do what others have suggested, look into what the state may offer. Also you can go to a hospital with a same day clinic and ask to speak with the hospital social worker, they will know exactly what is what and how you can get it.

If not, paying for cobra is a hell of a lot better at $1000 a month than paying all that money every time you go just to pay $8,000 when you deliver. The math is much better in the cobra direction.

RayRay007 · September 2013

GhostMonkey said:

lica001 said:

lica001 said:

I'm sorry you're going through this. I don't have much advice. Is it even legal for them to lay off a pregnant woman? Maybe consult a lawyer and see if you can get a better severance package? I just want to point out that $1000/month for COBRA for 10 months will be cheaper than the fees they're asking you upfront. So don't dismiss it if you can't find another solution. Especially that you don't know how much delivery will end up costing you. When all was said and done i had over $60,000 of hospital/Ob/pedi bills for my c-section last year and that was a healthy delivery with no complications.

BTW, I sort of remember someone posted on TB that they had Medicaid, even though they wouldn't normally qualify for it but could get it because she was pregnant.
For the love of fucking God.

Being pregnant does not exempt you from being laid off. You can't be fired because you are pregnant, but you can be fired/laid off.

Most jobs don't have severance packages. But yeah, let's consult a lawyer and pay them tens of thousands to go after something that doesn't exist. Money well spent. She's getting COBRA because that's required by law.

Relax. In the EU and Switzerland where I'm from it is illegal to lay off/ fire a pregnant woman or a woman on maternity leave, so I don't think that was a ridiculous question at all. I was honestly shocked that OP is going through this. It's just sad how little protection/benefits woman get in the US.

So they can't fire you at all even if you are the shittiest employee on the planet?

That's fucking stupid.

Yeah, no it's not always illegal to fire/lay off pg women or women on maternity leave. But in some countries there is a presumption that it is because of pregnancy, and the employer has a high burden to prove that it was for other legitimate reasons.

Anyway, sorry OP. I don't have advice on insurance (I'm from Canada), but you can forego some of the elective testing and procedures (like the $1400 testing in Oct) and save yourself money.

mmiller7460 · September 2013

Thanks all- I live in VA and have been doing a lot of research, making calls, etc etc. So far, no help. I will keep trying. And yes, I am searching for employment but jobs here are very scarce. I have applied to places 2+ hours away since I have very few options here. I am hoping things will work out. I am 9 weeks, so not showing yet, but I am sure once I do it will be even harder to find someone that will hire me. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

mmiller7460 · September 2013

If we could afford COBRA, we would get it. As long as we are depending on DH's income alone, we can't afford it. Here's to hoping I find a new job.

mcgeeva · September 2013

mmiller7460 said:

Thanks all- I live in VA and have been doing a lot of research, making calls, etc etc. So far, no help. I will keep trying. And yes, I am searching for employment but jobs here are very scarce. I have applied to places 2+ hours away since I have very few options here. I am hoping things will work out. I am 9 weeks, so not showing yet, but I am sure once I do it will be even harder to find someone that will hire me. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Are you in northern VA? IF so I know of some jobs.I was just offered a job an I told them I am pregnant. So I guess it depends on what type of work.

spinsoffresonance · September 2013

GhostMonkey said:

lica001 said:

lica001 said:

I'm sorry you're going through this. I don't have much advice. Is it even legal for them to lay off a pregnant woman? Maybe consult a lawyer and see if you can get a better severance package? I just want to point out that $1000/month for COBRA for 10 months will be cheaper than the fees they're asking you upfront. So don't dismiss it if you can't find another solution. Especially that you don't know how much delivery will end up costing you. When all was said and done i had over $60,000 of hospital/Ob/pedi bills for my c-section last year and that was a healthy delivery with no complications.

BTW, I sort of remember someone posted on TB that they had Medicaid, even though they wouldn't normally qualify for it but could get it because she was pregnant.
For the love of fucking God.

Being pregnant does not exempt you from being laid off. You can't be fired because you are pregnant, but you can be fired/laid off.

Most jobs don't have severance packages. But yeah, let's consult a lawyer and pay them tens of thousands to go after something that doesn't exist. Money well spent. She's getting COBRA because that's required by law.

Relax. In the EU and Switzerland where I'm from it is illegal to lay off/ fire a pregnant woman or a woman on maternity leave, so I don't think that was a ridiculous question at all. I was honestly shocked that OP is going through this. It's just sad how little protection/benefits woman get in the US.

So they can't fire you at all even if you are the shittiest employee on the planet?

That's fucking stupid.

No they can't, which in a way is totally unfair and Unfortunately some girls really abuse the system. They get hired, get pregnant right away and stop showing up for work when they're 5 months into the pregnancy. But the point is that no employer will ever hire a pregnant woman, which is also unfair. So if they won't hire someone that is pregnant it only makes sense they shouldn't be allowed to fire them.

dogsombrero · September 2013

heyheyklee about Community Health Centers. I go to one they will help you determine eligibility for medicaid or offer a sliding scale fee based on your income and refer you to any programs you are eligible for. I ended up at mine due to my insurance only covering pregnancy complications. They bill my insurance first, then Medicaid and lastly me. You may have to switch docs but having the financial security will be worth it.

hlm184 · September 2013

GhostMonkey said:

lica001 said:

lica001 said:

I'm sorry you're going through this. I don't have much advice. Is it even legal for them to lay off a pregnant woman? Maybe consult a lawyer and see if you can get a better severance package? I just want to point out that $1000/month for COBRA for 10 months will be cheaper than the fees they're asking you upfront. So don't dismiss it if you can't find another solution. Especially that you don't know how much delivery will end up costing you. When all was said and done i had over $60,000 of hospital/Ob/pedi bills for my c-section last year and that was a healthy delivery with no complications.

BTW, I sort of remember someone posted on TB that they had Medicaid, even though they wouldn't normally qualify for it but could get it because she was pregnant.
For the love of fucking God.

Being pregnant does not exempt you from being laid off. You can't be fired because you are pregnant, but you can be fired/laid off.

Most jobs don't have severance packages. But yeah, let's consult a lawyer and pay them tens of thousands to go after something that doesn't exist. Money well spent. She's getting COBRA because that's required by law.

Relax. In the EU and Switzerland where I'm from it is illegal to lay off/ fire a pregnant woman or a woman on maternity leave, so I don't think that was a ridiculous question at all. I was honestly shocked that OP is going through this. It's just sad how little protection/benefits woman get in the US.

So they can't fire you at all even if you are the shittiest employee on the planet?

That's fucking stupid.

No they can't, which in a way is totally unfair and Unfortunately some girls really abuse the system. They get hired, get pregnant right away and stop showing up for work when they're 5 months into the pregnancy. But the point is that no employer will ever hire a pregnant woman, which is also unfair. So if they won't hire someone that is pregnant it only makes sense they shouldn't be allowed to fire them.

_____

...I don't get how it makes sense.

mmiller7460 · October 2013

I was able to find part time work but still no benefits. I finally got someone from social services to call me back and was told about a program called FAMIS that I have applied for and am waiting on a decision. According to the rep at SS, I should qualify for FAMIS. I spoke to my OB (not the receptionist) and he was sympathetic and is allowing me to get care for free until I hear back from FAMIS since they will retroactively pay for any care I have received. Things are looking up.

mmiller7460 · October 2013

Nope- I live way out in the boonies! But I have found PT work and was told that once I come back from having the baby I can move to FT, which I definitely plan on doing!

nicoleee89 · October 2013

As long as you're pregnant and jobless, you qualify for Medicaid.

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