As many as 13 percent of all women who become pregnant in the United States each year are uninsured, according to the American Pregnancy Association, putting those women at risk for high medical expenses or inadequate prenatal care. The average cost of hospital delivery ranges from $6,000 to $8,000 according to the American Pregnancy Association, not including costs for prenatal care or high-risk pregnancies. Because pregnancy can be considered a pre-existing condition on many individual insurance plans, if you don't have insurance when you get pregnant, it can be very difficult to get covered once you become pregnant.
Step 1
Find out if you qualify for pregnancy insurance through Medicaid, a federally-funded program that provides health insurance coverage to low-income women and families. Requirements vary from state to state, but in general, if your annual income is lower than $30,000, you will probably qualify for Medicaid during your pregnancy. Many states raise the income level requirements during pregnancy to help pregnant women get coverage, so check with your local Medicaid office. Medicaid programs are administered by the state; to find the one near you, call 1-800-633-4227 or visit the State-by-State Medicaid website in Resources.
Step 2
Check with your state's department of health or social services to see if they have special pregnancy insurance programs available. As with Medicaid, you'll need to meet certain income requirements to qualify.
Step 3
If you previously had insurance, find out if you can buy into COBRA coverage, which allows you to pay to continue your previous medical coverage. There is a time limit for COBRA enrollment that varies from state to state, from three months to three years. Call 1-866-444-3272 to talk to someone about your potential COBRA coverage.
Tips and Warnings
- If you can't get health insurance, consider a discount health program for pregnant women, such as AmeriPlan or Maternity Advantage. Though these plans are not insurance, they can reduce the amount of money you have to pay for pregnancy appointments and tests because they negotiate discounted rates with people who offer pregnancy services. Ask your doctors and the hospital where you will be delivering about setting up a sliding scale payment plan. Many doctors and hospitals offer discounts and lower rates for people who don't have insurance, but don't advertise this policy. Don't skip prenatal care because you don't have insurance. Let your health care provider know your situation and work out a plan together. Prenatal care is important for your health and the health of your baby.
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