| Finding health insurance that will cover maternity | | | | will save you a considerable amount on both |
| expenses is almost impossible. If you do find a | | | | pre-natal and delivery costs. You can call them |
| plan, there are limits on the coverage, waiting | | | | directly to get a complete explanation of their |
| periods before you can become pregnant and | | | | package at 800-460-9178. |
| absurdly high fees to pay for the maternity rider. | | | | |
| Being well informed about your options can save | | | | 1. Negotiate with the hospital yourself - You can |
| you a bundle before you have your next "bundle | | | | call your local hospital and negotiate for a normal |
| of joy". | | | | vaginal delivery or a c-section. The rates vary |
| The Maternity Coverage Exclusion | | | | from hospital to hospital. Still, it is a lot better than |
| We hope that you take the time to read your | | | | passively waiting for a bill. |
| health insurance policy before you become | | | | |
| pregnant. If you do, you will probably find an | | | | 1. Hospital Supplements - There are supplemental |
| exclusion for maternity expenses. This is true in | | | | plans that will pay out a daily rate for |
| almost every state. In some instances, maternity | | | | hospitalization. One such plan will pay up to $3,000 |
| can be added to a plan when you purchase it. | | | | for a two day stay for a normal delivery and |
| However, this is an expensive option and has its | | | | $1,500 for each additional day after than. |
| own set of rules and waiting periods. | | | | Combined with the advocacy service pricing, it |
| You should be aware that most health insurance | | | | might pay for most of your hospital expenses. |
| plans will cover complications to pregnancy. This | | | | We can give you a number of such plans. Use the |
| generally means a c-section or other types of | | | | box at the bottom of this article to contact us. |
| special delivery problems. If you have had a | | | | More Important Than Maternity Coverage |
| c-section before, any subsequent c-section will | | | | Maternity costs are pocket change compared to |
| probably be excluded. | | | | the costs of having a baby in a neo-natal unit. |
| The Maternity Coverage Inclusion | | | | I know that having a health insurance plan that |
| Many, if not most health insurance carriers have | | | | would cover all of your maternity expenses would |
| dropped the ability to add a maternity rider to | | | | give you a lot of peace of mind. However, it is |
| their plans. In those few instances where it is | | | | far more important that either the birth mother |
| available, the cost is very high and there is often | | | | or the father have a major medical insurance plan. |
| a 12 month wait before you can become | | | | If you have health insurance before you are |
| pregnant. Plus, you must add the rider to the plan | | | | pregnant, your baby can be put on your plan |
| when you obtain it. You cannot put a maternity | | | | within 30 days of birth regardless of their health. I |
| rider on afterwards. | | | | do not care if all you can afford is a $5,000 |
| Maternity Plan Alternatives | | | | deductible no-frills plan. You must have health |
| There are other ways to approach the problem | | | | insurance before you get pregnant. |
| of maternity insurance coverage. | | | | Here is another tip for you. When you put the |
| | | | newborn on your plan, call and send a registered |
| 1. Use an advocacy service - We like on particular | | | | letter (return receipt) to confirm it. One couple |
| service that will negotiate directly with hospitals, | | | | had the insurance company tell them that they |
| doctors and labs for you. In some instances, they | | | | had no record of anyone calling. The baby was in |
| already have special rates available. There is a | | | | the hospital for more than a week and the bills |
| cost for this service, but in most instances they | | | | were staggering. |