My gf just found out she’s pregnant and doesn’t have insurance. When shopping insurance do we volunteer that info, should she use Medicaid? I am even considering birth tourism to Canada which is legal if we are approved a temp visa.
I’m 38yr old, she is 29yr and we live in Texas. I’m self employed and have health insurance. I have united healthcare thru a third party US Health Advisors.
Medicaid is her only option without a qualifying life event. Is she within the income limit for Medicaid? If not, getting married would allow you to add her to your plan.
Pretty much this… and, yes, if you sought out other coverage, you’d have to disclose the pregnancy as it’s something they can easily calculate the pre-existing condition date for.
Pregnancy Medicaid is probably the best choice.
If you’re in Austin and have a low income, check out Central Health District for sliding scale care.
Open enrollment for the healthcare exchange starts in November for coverage starting in January. She can enroll then to cover delivery. You might also want to look at the exchange at that time since your insurer offers many non-ACA-compatible plans.
She needs prenatal care. Will birth tourism solve that problem?
It won’t. And the odds of a pregnant American woman who is full term, being able to get a visa to stay in Canada to give birth there, and also get free labor and delivery, is probably nil.
I work in women’s health coverage in Texas, so I’m happy to answer any questions.
This chart will show if she qualifies for Medicaid or CHIP Perinatal. Count the baby in the family size, so check eligibility for 2 people (her and the baby) based on her income. Since you’re not married or filing taxes together, ignore your income.
If she earns too much for Medicaid or CHIP, there aren’t many immediate options. You can wait for open enrollment at one of your jobs or the marketplace to get her on insurance and self-pay for prenatal care until then. If you share which county you’re in, I can suggest clinics that offer sliding scale or low-cost prenatal care.
If her income is just over the Medicaid or CHIP limit (below 150% of the FPL), she can qualify for a marketplace plan at any time and doesn’t have to wait for open enrollment.
Avoid short-term or non-ACA insurance, as it won’t cover anything pregnancy-related.
US health advisors is NOT real health insurance plus overpriced.
Healthy Texas women doesn’t provide care to pregnant women, you’d have to use pregnant women’s Medicaid.