About Pregnancy Health Insurance

Approximately 6 million women in the United States get pregnant each year, with roughly 13 percent of them lacking health insurance, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Whether you're already expecting or plan to conceive in the future, knowing your insurance options can lower your out-of-pocket costs while ensuring that you and your baby receive the care you need.

Laws

Federal laws play a major role in ensuring that pregnant workers have access to health insurance. According to Nihara K. Choudhri, a family law attorney and author of the book "Parent Savvy," a 1978 federal law called the Pregnancy Discrimination Act requires most employer-provided health insurance programs--often called group health insurance--to cover pregnancy-related medical expenses. Federal law also prohibits group health insurance plans from designating pregnancy as a pre-existing condition.

Considerations

If you're self-employed or work part time, you may need to purchase your own health insurance--also called an individual policy--to acquire pregnancy health insurance. Because they're not regulated by federal law, individual health insurance programs typically have the freedom to designate pregnancy as a pre-existing condition. In fact, most of them choose not to offer coverage for pregnancy-related costs at all, according to a 2008 report by the National Women's Law Center. Those that do offer pregnancy health insurance generally present it in the form of a supplemental rider, which means that you'll need to pay an additional cost above and beyond what you pay for your basic health insurance.

Details

Research and ask lots of questions to get the most from your pregnancy health care insurance. In-network obstetricians and hospitals generally cost less than out-of-network obstetricians and hospitals, so get a list of approved health-care providers and medical centers from your health insurance company before choosing your pregnancy caregiver and center. Choudhri suggests that you also verify who foots the bill for various other pregnancy-related costs, including hiring a doula, prenatal testing and new-baby care.

Low-Income Options

Medicaid provides low-income pregnant women with pregnancy insurance that covers all pregnancy-related medical costs. Although it's federally funded, each state is in charge of setting its own criteria, so check with your state Medicaid guidelines to see if you qualify. Generally, you'll need to provide proof of your citizenship and identity, proof of pregnancy and proof of your household income.

Warning

Beware of discount health-care programs that masquerade as pregnancy health insurance. These discount programs often provide percentage discounts for prenatal care, as well as labor and delivery, but they don't actually cover a portion of your pregnancy costs like traditional health insurance. They typically have monthly fees for membership and don't have limitations on pre-existing conditions, which could be an important consideration if you're unable to qualify for traditional pregnancy insurance or Medicaid. Check with your obstetrician to ensure that she participates in a specific discount health program before you sign on the dotted line.