please help- i have no insurance

[kaleyjay]

Hi! i recently found out i was pregnant , and i have no insurance! I am trying to go thru dhs and get medicaid, but recently spoke with them and told them that i am not currently employed. So they asked how im living and i told them i live with my boyfriend/fiancee..So they told me to bring in his check stubbs--and i think he makes to much for me to qualify! But we have alot of bills. So im looking into personal insurance, but no one will take me. They say its a preexsisting condition!! But i read some places that there was a law passed in 99' about that and insurance companies could no longer deny you ins. because you were already pregnant... Does anyone know anything about this?? Please i would appreciate your help. I'm stressing out here!! thanx!!

[boonie stomper]

Not too sure, but perhaps if you were married, your spouse's insurance would be required to add you, at his request and additional expense of course, and then when the baby arrives, he would again have the opportunity to add a new dependent...

Good luck. In the mean time, maybe you can get care at your local health clinic.

[Ralynda]

Hi Kaley,

I've actually checked into this because I'll be forced to change insurance soon and we are TTC. You're right, federal law prohibits pregnancy from being considered a pre-existing condition. But, the law has loopholes.

"Unfortunately, there are a lot of "buts" to HIPAA. For one thing, HIPAA doesn't apply to someone who previously had no health coverage at all and then gets into a group health plan through a new job. So if you had no insurance, got pregnant, then landed a new job with insurance, your new health plan would not have to immediately cover your pregnancy. You might have to sit out a preexisting condition waiting period, a period that could be longer than your pregnancy and in the meantime pay for your visits yourself. "

Here's where this info came from. Hopefully the link is ok. http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregna...e_46wb,00.html

Hope everything works out for you.

[G-Mom]

Have you gone into your state's Health and Human Services Dept.? You don't get medicaid through your boyfriend's insurance company, you get it through HHS. Go there and apply and good luck.

[lucidlemon]

I just read in the latest issue of fit pregnancy, an add for something called maternitycard- it says that it provides hospital and dr benefits even if you are already pregnant...there is a toll free number 1-800-804-3591. (don't know if I can post this number, but am going to). I live in BC canada, so I don't know much about this stuff- but you may want to check this out.

Best of luck, and remember- whatever your situation, having a baby is a wonderful experience and this baby is meant to be here with you and things will work out

[cheers2you]

I know a little how you feel. I am most likely going to have to pay for this entire thing out of pocket.
My DH makes too much$ for medicaid. But, thats life I guess.

I still have to figure out which hospital to go to, and were to get my prenatal.
Its a little scary but I know God is with us!

[britt997]

YOU CAN GET MEDICAID!!! YEA!!!
I just called Surrey County Virginia's welfare office. I explained that I had a "friend" who is pregnant, not working, being supported by her boyfriend and needs medicaid.
The woman there reassured me that you are eligible for medicaid and that because you are not married your boyfriend's income does not matter and is NOT needed. Medicaid goes by your income alone in this case.
You can go to the state website and fill out an application or you can call your local office and have an application sent to you.
Keep in mind that because you are being supported by your boyfriend that different rules will apply for cash and foodstamps and you might not be eligible for them.
You may be able to get WIC if it is available in your state, I'm in Pennsylvania so I don't know about WIC in Virginia.
HAVE A HAPPY PREGNANCY!!!
Patti
Unfortunately I am all too familiar with medicaid and welfare in general and TRUST me, the workers at welfare do not want you or anyone on welfare and if they can blow you off or otherwise get you to think you aren't eligible it seems to make them so happy!

[Justwannaloseafewlbs]

Hi Kayley: First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy! I hope you are doing well so far and not having any morning sickness.

We have the WIC in the state where I live. It's a program that ensures that mom's get prenatal care. I googled "Virginia WIC Pregnancy" and found a link to WIC in Virigina, so there may be WIC resources available to you in your area. Something to look into....

Also, if you end up facing the alternative of paying for your hospital bills out of pocket, then you may consider hiring a midwife instead. You would still have to pay out of pocket (and likely have an unmedicated birth), but would pay less in medical bills, assuming you did not have to transport to a hospital, which usually does not happen. Just another alternative to consider if need be....

Best of luck to you, your DH, and your impending little one!

[MissyMiss]

Keep in mind that Planned Parenthood is most everywhere..and will see you based on your income. I currently do work, and support my family of 5..I did not have health insurance for a while, so they charged me absolutely nothing. I was told they receive a certain grant allowance a year that enables them to serve lower income families based on their income.

I also was on medicaid for a short while, also came from a very low income family (mom only supported the 7 of us), and I know alot about medicaid. From all my experiences with them, I don't see how they can/will give anyone medicaid without counting everyone's income in the entire household...even if it's not supporting you. For instance my mom still has my oldest brother living at home..even though he supports himself and also pays my mother rent, she cannot receive food stamp assistance/medicaid because he is in the household, and his income needs to be counted no matter that he is not applying. It' touch and go with DSS, and sometimes it all depends on your caseworker.