individual insurance - with maternity care coverage?

meieden

Hey nesties,

So I am newly unemployed and my husband's insurance costs an arm and a leg to add "spouse" coverage, so I have been looking into individual insurance options.

Unfortunately, it looks like maternity care(pregnancy, pre- and post-natal care) is not covered under most if not all individual health insurance plans (not group plans) that I've looked at.

In case we do get pregnant, I would like to have this coverage if possible. 

 Do any of you know if any individual health insurance plans in texas that include a maternity rider or  maternity health insurance?

Thanks so much!

OUKatie

When we looked into this, nobody was writing policies with maternity riders in Texas. Sorry We just finally stopped paying $850/month for crappy insurance for the 2 of us so I completely understand your frustration.

ETA: From what I understand, even when the policies were available, you had to hold them for a year before you were actually covered for maternity care.

ellkaysmom

There were zero options for maternity coverage under private plans when we were in the market 2 years ago. I'm pretty sure that hasn't changed.

I'd talk to the dr and hospital about a cash payment plan and any cash/out-of-pocket discounts that might be available - and then compare that to the increase in premiums with your husband's insurance to see which is the better deal.

Good luck!

meieden

Ouch -

Yeah, that seems to be what I was coming up with when looking around.  I really appreciate the help, girls.

 

aprilprincess

ellkaysmom:

There were zero options for maternity coverage under private plans when we were in the market 2 years ago. I'm pretty sure that hasn't changed.

I'd talk to the dr and hospital about a cash payment plan and any cash/out-of-pocket discounts that might be available - and then compare that to the increase in premiums with your husband's insurance to see which is the better deal.

Good luck!

and try a few drs. I had some I called who offered no cash discount but my dr I went with charges me the amount they would charge my insurance, so a good discount. And the hospital charges me 40% of the usual charges.

Also if you have a medically necessary c-sec those are somtimes covered (I knew I'd need one this round).

charlotteL

aprilprincess:

ellkaysmom:

There were zero options for maternity coverage under private plans when we were in the market 2 years ago. I'm pretty sure that hasn't changed.

I'd talk to the dr and hospital about a cash payment plan and any cash/out-of-pocket discounts that might be available - and then compare that to the increase in premiums with your husband's insurance to see which is the better deal.

Good luck!

and try a few drs. I had some I called who offered no cash discount but my dr I went with charges me the amount they would charge my insurance, so a good discount. And the hospital charges me 40% of the usual charges.

Also if you have a medically necessary c-sec those are somtimes covered (I knew I'd need one this round).

Both are true for us.  My doc only charged me what they would charge insurance.  I ended up with an emergency c-section and it was 100% covered by my insurance.  We got a refund from my ob/gyn.