Whether you are planning for children, or have one well on the way, it’s important to know what your current health insurance coverage will offer to you and your baby, and what options are out there if you can’t get coverage under your existing plan. Health insurance is vitally important to ensure that you and your little one get the best medical care possible in a timely fashion, so do your research and don’t be afraid to shop around for the right fit.

When should I start?

Expectant parents can have a lot on their plate when it comes to planning for their new addition, so it’s always a good idea to investigate your insurance options before you become pregnant. First, find out whether you are covered for maternity health insurance under your current plan, and if so, just how much coverage you can anticipate. For example, do they recognize prenatal visits as standard preventative care? Do they offer coverage for pregnancy complications? Also, contact your health plan or your spouses’ to see who offers better group health coverage for your child.

According to federal law, group health plans covering 15 or more employees must offer maternity care, but individual plans often do not, and may only offer it as an amendment with a separate premium and waiting period.

If your current insurance plan does not offer maternity benefits, or offers coverage you find unacceptable, shop around and see if you can find a better fit. You may find better coverage under your partner’s insurance plan, or through another organization. However, be warned that once you become pregnant, many of these private carriers will consider pregnancy a pre-existing condition and turn down your application if you are already pregnant.

What can I do if I’m pregnant and don’t have maternity coverage, or if I don’t have health insurance at all?

There are several options for women who are having difficulty obtaining maternity coverage, or who do not have their own health insurance plan.

Ameriplan is designed to save you up to 60 % of your maternity costs through their discounted fee-for-services program, in participating states. Because Ameriplan is not an insurance company, pregnant women and those with other pre-existing conditions can apply, and once your baby is born they are covered automatically for the first two years of life.

Maternity Advantage is another maternity coverage program that provides help to women who are uninsured or want to supplement their existing coverage, and once again covers your baby for the first two years after birth.

Medicaid is a federally-run program which is administered state-by-state, offering a benefits program to qualifying low-income individuals, families and newborns. They will help pay for your pregnancy expenses, even if you are already pregnant, and with the expenses of your new baby.

WIC (Women, Infants and Children) is a government-sponsored program, created to serve uninsured women, babies, and children. You can be covered through your pregnancy and postpartum period (up to your child’s first birthday) and your child can be covered up until age 5.