Just to clarify—my pregnancy and delivery are covered under my parents’ insurance, but the baby won’t be. I need to find coverage for the baby until my husband gets insurance through his job.
I’m due May 31. My husband and I are both under 26, so we’re still on my parents’ insurance. He starts a full-time job in mid-May, but his insurance won’t kick in until June 1. Once that happens, he and the baby will be covered.
What if the baby arrives before June 1? How do we make sure there’s coverage? Can we get short-term insurance just for the baby? What are our options?
If this is a medical emergency, call 911. If you’re asking about picking a plan, check past discussions. If you haven’t included your state and income details, adding that might help get better advice. No soliciting allowed.
You can get a temporary plan through healthcare.gov for the baby once they’re born, then move them to your husband’s work plan.
If the baby comes before June 1, you’ll need coverage in place to pay for the hospital stay and care. You can’t add the baby to your husband’s plan before his job’s insurance starts, so a short-term plan or Medicaid might be the best option.
Also, check with your parents’ insurance to confirm that they fully cover your pregnancy and delivery. Some plans won’t cover maternity care if the baby isn’t their dependent.
@Marcell
My current insurance covers my pregnancy and delivery, just not the baby after birth. Can I apply for a healthcare plan for the baby before birth, or do I have to wait until after they’re born?
@Kaaze
Double-check everything. A lot of parents get told their plan covers it, but when the bill comes, insurance denies it. I’ve seen it happen many times.
Kit said: @Kaaze
Double-check everything. A lot of parents get told their plan covers it, but when the bill comes, insurance denies it. I’ve seen it happen many times.
I’ve confirmed this with my insurance, my mom’s HR department, and by reading the policy. They all say my delivery is covered, just not the baby’s hospital stay. I just need to figure out how to cover the baby’s care.
@Kaaze
You can’t apply for a healthcare plan for the baby before birth. The birth itself is the ‘qualifying event’ that allows you to enroll them mid-year.
You can start looking at plan options now on healthcare.gov to get an idea of costs and coverage, but you won’t be able to sign up until after the baby is born.
Eli said:
I’ve worked in insurance for 30 years and only seen a couple of plans that cover grandchildren. Call your insurance to be sure.
I know my parents’ plan doesn’t cover grandchildren. I just need to figure out the best way to get insurance for the baby. Do I apply before or after birth?
Are your prenatal visits covered? Some plans don’t cover pregnancy care for dependents. You need to confirm this first.
If your coverage is fine, then when the baby is born, you can apply for a plan. If your husband gets insurance within 60 days of birth, you can switch to that. Otherwise, you’ll need coverage for the baby in the meantime.
Pregnant women and infants often qualify for Medicaid at higher income limits than other groups. Check with your state to see if you can enroll in Medicaid before birth so that both you and the baby are covered.