Im Pregnant Do I Can Get Madicare Benefits

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), pregnancy and maternity care are covered as essential health benefits. Pregnancy by itself doesn't qualify you to sign up for health coverage or make changes outside of the Open Enrollment Period. However, there may be other ways to get coverage when you're pregnant. Learn more about how health insurance covers pregnancy, how you can get coverage while pregnant, and how to find low-cost coverage options.

Is pregnancy a pre-existing condition?

Under the ACA, all Marketplace plans must cover pre-existing conditions you had before coverage started.  According to Healthcare.gov, pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing condition. So if you were pregnant at the time that you applied for new health coverage:

• You can't be denied coverage due to your pregnancy
• You can't be charged a higher premium because of your pregnancy
• Your pregnancy and prenatal coverage starts on the first day of coverage

This hasn't always been the case.  Before the ACA, most plans on the individual market didn't cover pregnancy, according to the National Women's Law Center. Pregnancy was also considered a pre-existing condition. This meant insurers either denied coverage to pregnant women or charged them more.

Does health insurance cover pregnancy?

Under the ACA, maternity and newborn care are essential benefits. This means all Marketplace plans must cover medical care during pregnancy, childbirth, and after the baby is born.

Some covered services often include:

• Outpatient Services: This includes prenatal and postnatal visits to the doctor, lab tests, and medications.
• Screenings: Preventive screenings for anemia, gestational diabetes, hepatitis B, preeclampsia, STDs, and more are covered.
• Tobacco intervention and counseling for pregnant smokers or tobacco users
• Inpatient services: This includes hospitalization, emergency services, and physician fees if needed while pregnant.
• Labor and delivery services
• Newborn Care
• Lactation counseling, support, and breastfeeding equipment (including breast pumps)

Even though maternity care is an essential benefit, coverage details and costs may vary by plan. Check your plan's summary of benefits for more info.

When can I enroll in a health insurance plan to cover my pregnancy?

You can enroll in coverage during the Open Enrollment Period for coverage that starts the following year. Open enrollment usually starts on November 1^st of every year.

In most states, being pregnant is not a qualifying event that lets you enroll in or change your health insurance outside of open enrollment. However, there are other life changes that may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period:

• Birth of a child, placing a child in foster care, or adopting a child
• Getting married
• Death
• A divorce or legal separation that results in loss of coverage
• Moving to a new residence

Even though pregnancy isn't usually a qualifying event, some states have different laws. At the time of publishing, pregnancy qualifies you for special enrollment in New York and Maryland. Contact your state's health department to learn if pregnancy is a qualifying event where you live.

What if I am pregnant and uninsured?

If you are pregnant and uninsured, you have a few options for low-cost or free maternity care.

• Medicaid: State Medicaid provides medical coverage for low-income individuals, including pregnant women. Eligibility is based on income and household size. Contact your state for more information.
• CHIP: The Children's Health Insurance Program provides health insurance to uninsured children. However, in a few states, CHIP covers pregnant women as well.
• Community health center: These centers provide care to those with limited access to health care. Prenatal care is usually low cost and based on income.
• Hill-Burton Facility: Certain hospitals and clinics nationwide offer free or low-cost care as part of the Hill-Burton Program (see a full list here). You must meet income requirements to be eligible.
• Charity organizations: Some charities and religious organizations, such as Catholic Charities and Lutheran Services, offer maternity and postpartum services. Services may vary by location.
• Planned Parenthood: Some Planned Parenthood locations provide pregnancy care and may use a sliding scale model for payment.
• Self-pay rate: If you must pay for your pre- and postnatal care out-of-pocket, ask if you're eligible for a "self-pay rate." Some hospitals have a "self-pay" discount rate for patients with limited income.

How can I find health plans that cover my pregnancy?

As mentioned, all Marketplace plans must cover maternity care as an essential health benefit. As a leading licensed insurance broker, eHealth offers a wide selection of individual and family health plans at different price points. We make it easy for you to find affordable care that fits your needs. If you'd like to get started, just enter your zip code into our plan finder tool to browse plan options. If you have questions, our licensed insurance agents can help you find customized coverage solutions.

Im Pregnant Do I Can Get Madicare Benefits

Source: https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/resources/individual-and-family/can-i-get-health-insurance-while-im-pregnant

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