Pregnant and No Insurance

[Tiffany05]

So my husband and I got married right out of high school and when I turned 19 I was told by the doctors that if I wanted kids I have to have them now. So I had my son when I was 19 (and had insurance). At 21 I became pregnant again and this time my insurance had gotten rid of prenatal coverage without our knowledge, so I went on Medicaid. I hate relying on anybody, but we really wanted the family we dreamed for and couldn't wait (medically). Well, I am now 23 years old and 18 weeks pregnant with my 3rd under the same exact conditions, but this time the government is assessing me based on my husband (who is just finishing college and has a internship) AND my father's income! They basically said I will not get Medicaid.

I'm mad at myself for not figuring out something beforehand. I just don't know what we could have done. We don't have money with college, kids, and all and can't afford insurance. I am under my parent's insurance till next year since my husband has a great full time job in place, but that is why they want my father's income. With my second one, they just based it off my husbands income but this year they changed there guidelines for getting Medicaid. I just don't understand how they can do that when I live under my own household, pay our own bill, and am independent. What should we do?

 

[Otis]

I had the same issue, except it was only Medicaid for my LO. I still live with my parents, so household income included what they make and we didn't qualify. However at the hospital after delivery there was a lady from a group that helps young moms and they fought for us to be able to still get insured despite household income and now LOs on it. I would ask the hospital you plan on delivering at if they have social work there to try and help you out.

 

[MonyMony]

If it comes down to it and you have to pay for it, a midwife at a birthing center will be cheaper than a hospital birth. Though you'll have to find out if there's a center in your area. Or you could pay for her to attend a homebirth if you're healthy and planning on natural delivery.

 

[LeahLou]

We're trying to figure this out too. In Virginia, there's a county insurance option that acts more like a normal insurance company where you pay copays if your income is above poverty. That's probably what we'll have to do since I got pregnant before I could get on my soon-to-be husbands insurance

 

[MummyMana]

Could you, like, leave your dad's insurance and get the help that way? Sorry I have no idea how all that works, hope you figure it out though!

 

[JJKCB]

wow, sorry for your situation... this is why I always been too scared to move to America (despite loving the country)

health care is free over here for everyone no matter what your circumstance and I would be dead many time over without it (including me and my son when we both nearly died during birth)

I hope you get it sorted darl, good luck

 

[momofone08]

There is a program that is meant for people above the medicaid income limit that don't have insurance. Here in CO it is called CHP+. You have to pay $10 copays for prenatal care and a one time enrollment fee of $35. There is a hospital copay of $100 for the birth. It's not free, but better than paying out of pocket. Definitely call your local human services office. What state are you in?

 

[mstennischick]

did they really say you wont get medicaid? because if all your husband has is an internship i can't imagine him getting paid that much. (no offence) i found it fairly easy to get medicaid, just the paper work was a pain. But then again I only have a part time job, but they should be more considerate since you have 2 other children. have they given you a for sure no? or do you just think you wont get it

 

[Tiffany05]

did they really say you wont get medicaid? because if all your husband has is an internship i can't imagine him getting paid that much. (no offence) i found it fairly easy to get medicaid, just the paper work was a pain. But then again I only have a part time job, but they should be more considerate since you have 2 other children. have they given you a for sure no? or do you just think you wont get it

Yes, I wouldn't get Medicaid. It is because, as of this year, even if you are an independent, they are looking at our income AND my dad's income combined (since I am under my Dad's insurance). Medicaid told me that my parents would be accountable for paying the whole pregnancy even though they don't have the money for it. I told Medicaid I am an independent, I'm married, and live in my own household, and they said it doesn't matter.

 

[Tiffany05]

So what ended up happening was, I asked Medicaid if I went off my father's insurance, could I apply without my dad's income? They then told me yes, but getting off insurance takes a very very long time and would not be worth it. So last weekend one of the hospital financial workers called me back, telling me that they had no right to tell that. She said that they are very wrong. I could get off the insurance, possibly, the day of. But, because medicaid told me that, that Friday and the weekend could be enough to decline me for the month of September thus I would have to pay for all the ultrasounds, blood tests, and doctors appointments thus far.

I immediately called my fathers insurance this morning and they got me off today. But the deadline is this week. I feel like the government is trying everything in their power to get me declined. This is actually my second time applying this pregnancy since they declined my last one. I had filled out everything, but they did not send the typical letter asking for some more information filled out and my husbands pay stubs. Instead they sent a email during a week I didn't get Internet. When I found out, I immediately called and they said I can fax it over right away and I would be fine. So I did (had the receipt and everything claiming they got it) and I was declined since they claimed I never sent it. I told them I would love to send it to them again and send them the receipt telling them I faxed it to them, but they said once you are declined they will do nothing for you. Not that it would have mattered much since they would have told me after that that I am under my husbands income and my dads income and would be declined anyway. Now I am working with the hospital, and they are helping me greatly to get it! And are nice unlike the Medicaid personal!

 

[LeahLou]

Medicaid is such a pain. I'm glad the hospital is helping you! I'll look into doing the same..

 

[fieryphoenix]

Why wouldn't your dad's insurance, the one you were covered under, pay for the pregnancy? I'm glad it's working out for ya though, insurance can be such a hassle!

 

[Desi's_lost]

^ probably expensive co-pays, specially birth.

 

[LeahLou]

If I had gone through my moms insurance, copays for specialists/Obgyn would've been $50 for every appointment and $700 to have the baby.
Yeah, expensive! Haha

 

[x__amour]

Just echoing to apply for Medicaid!