? On Pregnancy Care W/o Insurance..

About Medicaid, they say on their website that it takes 30-45 days for them to either approve you or not. Also, I was waiting on Medicaid for this pregnancy, and I didn't have my first dr appt till almost 17 weeks. I too was concerned, but the dr said not to worry, that they have women come in that are in their last couple of months of pregnancy and have yet to see a dr, and that is much much riskier, especially if there is problems. I would keep on Medicaid and DCF, though. I got them to approve me around 30 days after I applied, I guess I bugged them enough that they got tired of it and approved me (I knew in advance that I would qualify). Hopefully that helps you out.

J.,

Have you tried getting Health Insurance through, COBRA? You would have the same health insurance you had with your employer, but you pay your share & the employer's share. Which if you are unemployed, doesn't help. It can get quite expensive. After my daughter was born, payment for myself, husband & infant cost $1100/month. (more than my morgtage).

Depending on when you were "let go", you may no longer qualify, you pay month to month, & can do so for up to 18 months.

Another option is private insurance, but the preg MAY be considered pre-existing. You would need speak with an insurance agent.

Ditto on the COBRA comment. If it's been less than 60 days since you were let go you will still be able to elect coverage. You can find out more here http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.HTML
Also, it sounds like your employer may have let you go because of your pregnancy, which, depending on the size of your employer, is not legal. Have you considered taking action against them? Good luck!!!

I agree.. give them everything thy ask for and anything else that you think will help. I had to apply for the medically needy share of cost program and even the hospital told me that it really depends on who gets your application and how quickly they push the "ok" button. I was expecting the 30 days waiting period and had to pay the hospital 5k out of pocket to get my surgery sched. and then within the week I as approved. It may have helpd that the hospital was involved. Maybe you can find a dr. office that accepts medicaid and who can help get it going faster. Some offices only take it for established patients (at least thats how my ob/gyn worked).
hope it works out!

J.,

Hi and congratulations on your pregnancy and sorry about your 'sensitive' ex-employer.
It sounds as if you may have low iron levels that are giving you the extra tiredness and dizzy spells. Try upping your intake of greens/nuts/dried apricots or prunes/seeds/red meat and use vit C (either supplement or OJ) when eating them - this helps the iron in the food to absorb. Avoid Calcium when eating iron rich food as this will block the absorption of the iron. Just a couple of quick tips to help you feel better. As for care, if you are interested in 'out of hospital birth' with a midwife in a birth center we usually are able to get basic care started prior to Medicaid being confirmed. There is of course a fee for the visit and labwork, and I'm afraid I don't know exactly what that is right now. If this is something you may be interested in then please give our office a call - Kristi (the office manager) is available from 9am om ###-###-####. She will be able to discuss options with you.

Best wishes, B.

check out catholic charities on busch they have a doctor there that can start prenatal care do ultrasounds and help you get started for prenatal care. I went there for my first son and he made me feel really comfortable

Hi, J.,

I have been there too, so please do not get frustrated. When dealing with DCF, patience is a virtue. They take their time. Your best bet is to make sure to provide them with what they are asking for, even if that means giving them the same thing over and over again. Make sure that you have turned in your letter of loss wages, signed by your previous employer, along with your husband's proof of income for the last 8 weeks. They will not give you any emergency help because you stil have one income. They can take up to 30 days to process your food stamp case and 45 days to process your medicaid case. Either way, you will play the waiting game. I am not sure where you live, but in the meantime, try to find your local board of health department. In Town N Country, there is one on Sheldon Road about a mile before Linebaugh. You can go there to get prenatal care and all of your blood work, and they may be able to get your case processed quicker, all you can do is check. If you all are struggling, they will approve your case. One thing to remember, DCF may not believe you are in need of help if you can not prove it to them with the loss of wages form and proof of income you still have. They are very very very slow, but be patient.

As for your tiredness and dizzy spells, make sure you are getting enough rest. I have a two year old, and God bless you because there is no way I could even think of getting pregnant with him still being two. They are very active at this age and require a great deal of attention. But be sure to get enough rest, try to rest when he does and remember, all pregnancies are different. So you may experience a great deal difference with this pregnancy than you did with the first one.

I know I was long, but I have been where you are. I have four kids and my husband and I have gone through, and still are, hard times. You will be fine, if I can help in any way, just let me know. Enjoy your two year old and the time you get to spend with him befor the new bundle arrives.

P..
____@____.com

If you are at all interested in seeing a midwife and delivering out of a hospital check out Labor of Love in Lutz. I see that Bea responded to you and left the phone number so I won't repeat it. Anyway, it's MUCH cheaper than a hospital birth and I found it MUCH more warm and friendly than the OB I started with. I had my son there last Thursday (9/25) and were I planning on having more children would totally go back.