June 2016 Moms

Moving/job change/health ins.

My husband and I got our BFP the same day we also found out we would be moving to a new state because he got a new job there. This is something we've both wanted for a while as our current location sucks and we will be near family in the new city. But the timing presents some complications.

I don't have a job in our new city yet and my husband's new health insurance won't kick in until January 1. I can stay on my current job's insurance for a few months through an (expensive) COBRA option. However, there aren't any doctors covered by my current plan in our new town - the nearest is more than an hour away (don't get me started on Kaiser). I'm worried about not being able to start seeing the OB who will deliver the baby until month 5 when our new insurance kicks in. Will I be stuck with the worst OB in town by then?

Also, any tips for applying/interviewing for jobs while pregnant? I will be starting the 2nd trimester when I start looking. Our new city has a pretty small market for my profession but we have some good contacts there.

Re: Moving/job change/health ins.

  • I know the timing isn't ideal but it will be great to be close to family, right?  I wouldn't go without insurance during pregnancy.  You have no idea what could happen and when you might need a doctor.  Even the COBRA won't cover a doctor near you?  Can you call doctors ahead of time in your new city and ask how they bill and if they would be willing to work with you for a few months (not sure if some of them will scale their rates)?  As for the job for you, you certainly don't need to tell your new employer that you are pregnant and they can't ask.  That said, are you planning on taking any leave?  Not to add to your stress but some (well, most) employers don't offer leave unless you've been working for them for a year.  Would you be able to hold off on looking for a job until after the baby is born?  If not, I would strongly recommend negotiating your vacation time/sick leave package with maternity leave in mind if offered a job and making sure it all accrues immediately upon your employment (or within a month or two thereafter) and isn't pro rated based on when you started in the year.     
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  • You can switch providers at any point up until baby is crowing. I'm not being facetious. I switched at 28 weeks with my 1st and 32 weeks with my 2nd. While it sucks and it's not ideal you're not "stuck" with anyone you don't want. 

    As for interviewing they legally can't ask if you're pregnant or even about your family. So, if you're not showing I wouldn't disclose until you get a call back. 

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  • It will be great to be near family, and I am working on focusing on the positive, so thank you for that reminder. I wouldn't go without insurance while pregnant for sure. I will check with kaiser, but my understanding is that they don't cover non-Kaiser docs at all except in a true emergency and there really are no kaiser facilities/docs within an hr of our new location.
  • Use the marketplace for your state. Call and tell them the circumstances. Losing/ quitting a job is a qualifying event for them so you can get insurance. They can back date it so if you do go before you have your card pay then and them get reimbirsed.
    If you don't live in the u.s. I have no advice. Good luck.
  • Are you moving to California by chance? Cali has an option for you called Access for Infants and Mothers. It's for pregnant women who don't have health insurance and don't qualify for medi-cal because of how high their income is. You can be married and make a good salary, you just can't have health insurance. It's an awesome program. I used it for my last pregnancy when my husband changed jobs and his new health insurance didn't kick in for 3 months (i am a stay at home mom). Once you have the baby the coverage ends 3 months later. It covers everything 100% with no co-pays or deductibles and all you pay is your monthly premium! If you are not moving to California maybe your new state has a similar program??
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