Mom and New Born Without Insurance? :(

I'm an insurance agent and will try to respond *nicely* to this. The reason why people get insurance is in the event of something major happening, the insurance company picks up the majority of the cost so you don't have to. That's why you pay your premiums, even tho its "expensive" and you don't like it. You also don't get pregnant first and then panic and THEN get insurance. Its like waiting until the house burns down and then trying to get insurance but complaining about how expensive it is now that its burned down and you have no house. Most insurance companies will cover the baby after born IF you add it AND pay the additional premium. However, I'm not familiar with the insurance you mentioned but maybe part of ALLOWING you to be covered while pregnant is that they won't cover the baby, except for the first 4 days. Just my opinion, but its a little frustrating when people complain about the cost of insurance, but then sure wish they had it when they get pregnant or are in an accident or major illness. Good luck.

If your insurance was like mine was, your coverage will cover the baby for 4 days. Once the baby is born, you should be able to call the insurance company, notify them that your baby was born (name, date of birth, etc) and then purchase a policy for your baby. You should be able to purchase the coverage without any problems - the difference is that YOUR policy isn't covering the baby, it will be your baby's own coverage at that point. She will get her own policy number, ID card, and everything. Call your insurance company and ask how to do this. Best of luck!

I'm not actually sure I saw a question in there, but just call your insurance. Your baby can only be covered for FREE under YOUR PLAN for the first few days, but you can simply ADD baby as a dependent. You'll have to pay a bit more, but she'll definitely be covered.

Also, don't worry SO much about the c-section pre-40 weeks. That won't make her premature. Your doctor may want to take her before you go into labor so you don't ACCIDENTALLY deliver vaginally and risk baby's health, but he won't take her prematurely. Babies can be weeks early and fully developed. Anything after 36 weeks is FULL term.

Good luck with everything.

T.

Why can't you add the baby like everyone else does? When I had my first the cost of the insurance went up because obviously you are insuring another creature but it went seamlessly.

You have the baby, I want to add junior, okay this is how much more we are billing you. Why won't they let you do that? Seems shady if they don't.

just add the baby to your insurance. when you fill out the paper work put the babies name on it.

my daughter had insurance before she was born. she was covered by the state for a month even though she had insurance. does the state your in allow your baby to fall under your insurance before your baby has insurance?

I agree with the others that your baby needs just needs to be added to your policy. I had to call my carrier within the first few days following birth to add my son to my policy. They added him based on his name/birthdate and then when I received his social security number several weeks later I called them again so they could add that to his record. I received bills from the hospital in my name for the labor/delivery services and received bills in his name for his ped checkups during the days in the hospital etc. Separate deductibles applied to both of us which added up but at least he was covered. Congrats on your upcoming baby.

You may want to question your insurance coverage about the 4 day coverage for your daughter. In the state of Colorado your newborn should be covered on their date of birth and then through the first 31 days. I have attached a link to an article providing more detail on this.

http://www.dora.state.co.us/insurance/regs/B-4.6.pdf

Also, some insurance coverage will cover a hospital stay past the member's cancel date. For example, if patient A was in the hospital on 2/28, but their coverage ended on 3/1, the hospital stay will still be covered since they were admitted before they were cancelled - even if they were released from the hospital after they were cancelled.

I also agree with the others regarding adding your newborn to your coverage. Whether it's 4 days or 31 days, with all of the follow up care and visits your daughter will need you will need to get her added eventually, unless you are willing to pay out of pocket for your daughter's future care.

My advice to you is to ask all the questions you can and reach out to your carrier to find out about the Colorado state law that mandates 31 days of coverage for a newborn, find out if they will cover the hospitalization costs of the baby if the hospital admits her while she is covered, find out about getting her enrolled on the plan.

I wanted to add that not everyone in a different country has it better. Some of my family live in South Korea and they do not have the luxury of health care. They are required to pay the full cost on their own, most times up front before they are able to get the care they need - even if it's life saving surgery. Other countries are able to provide the health care needs they do by an increased tax system that we do not have in America (how would you like at least half of your income going to taxes). And even their systems are not perfect - some of these countries have come to America to study our health care systems to try to find ways of fixing theirs. It is not perfect here, but the grass may not necessarily be greener somewhere else.

I'm sorry. You're a prime example of why this country needs massive health care reform. And yes, it will need to be done by the government, because insurance companies are quite happy with the way it is--hence ginormous profits for them.
Sorry you've got snarky comments...some people, no matter how hard they try, may not realize that the bell might toll for them O. day.
I'm sorry. Start planning to pay out of pocket, I suppose.

I too wonder why they only cover for four days. That's not enough time to add them to another insurance! I'd call and ask them how to get coverage for baby. Or make sure the state insurance won't cover the baby. If he or she is born at 38-39 weeks they should be fine with four days of coverage though, barring any other problems. Hope you can figure this out soon!

I was on WIC and my husband taking unemployment when I was pregnant with my second. In this state every child is covered, therefore pregnant women are covered, unless we make too much money. So when my husband did get a job, we were suddenly making too much money to qualify for state insurance, especially without a debt to income ratio adjustment---we cannot pay a monthly premium for insurance and pay all the bills. I do not expect nor do I want the gov't to give me anything.

My feeling about insurance seems to be rare.
I hate insurance. It's a method of exhorting money based on the fear "What If...??" The Truth is, women have been giving birth successfully, nursing and caring for newborns with grace and ease long before the insurance middle-men got involved.
I believe We All have been duped into thinking that we need something that we don't, so that we live in fear rather than in faith that everything will be okay.
It is so much more pleasant to pay outright for services of pediatrician as needed. Many pediatricians and hospitals will make payment plan arrangements AND hefty discounts to persons paying out of pocket.

You have my heartfelt condolences.

Welcome to reality in 21st Century Amerika.

sometimes hospitals will forgive the bill if there is a great enough need. especially if it is a non profit. Never hurts to ask what they can do!