Growing Family Benefits
- Don't get pregnant without us!
- Enjoy security for your family
- Ask for employee paid options at work
Health Coverage for Maternity
Maternity Health Insurance Coverage
Maternity health insurance coverage is an important family benefit. The average cost of a normal pregnancy averages $7,000, jumps for a high-risk pregnancy, and skyrockets for premature birth. Proper medical care while you are pregnant is crucial to your health, and the well-being of your infant.
Finding a medical plan that covers maternity is very difficult. Many insurers don't provide affordable policies because normal pregnancy is often a planned event for many couples - meaning the insurer is likely to lose money. How do women afford prenatal care, delivery, motherhood, and more without going broke? Options depend upon:
- Where you live
- Where you and your spouse work
- State laws where you live, and where both employers are headquartered
Know the rules, where the holes are, and how to fill them. Also find valuable resources to protect your job during parental leave, and to create security if you are already expecting.
Health Insurance and Maternity Leave Protections
Maternity Coverage by State Maternity health insurance coverage depends upon the laws in your home state. Most carriers will avoid covering normal childbirth unless compelled by mandate. Eighteen states have regulations that apply to either small groups and/or individuals.
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Supplemental Maternity Insurance Supplemental maternity insurance programs fill holes in any benefit plan. Cash benefits are paid directly to you to replace income during maternity leave, and if your infant requires specialized care in the hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Bonus benefits may be paid when high order multiples are born pre-term making this coverage vital for couples undergoing infertility treatments.
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Pregnant Without Insurance? Pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition by most health plans covering maternity. But there are a variety of government sponsored resources available to help you get care for you and your infant, and to cut costs while you are expecting. Find out what is available.
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Maternity Leave Laws  A variety of federal and state laws combine to provide limited job protection benefits to certain categories of employees. Most women will experience unpaid leave, with a few exceptions. Find out what the laws are, who they apply to, and how they might protect your job and access to medical benefits.
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Individual Contracts Individual health plans with coverage for maternity and prenatal care is a mixed bag. Couples without a group plan must look to the individual market where options are not as good. If you live in a mandate state you are lucky.
Those living in non-mandate states may have to deal with riders: coverage that comes with either a lengthy waiting period, or a hefty deductible.
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Insurance During Maternity Leave What happens to your health insurance during maternity leave? There are four topics of great importance to growing families during this important time: replacing mom's income before and after delivery, allowing women to a sick infant, your premium costs, and adding your newborn to your policy.
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Affordable Care Act and Maternity Coverage
The Affordable Care Act became law on March 23, 2010. The Healthcare Reform Law stipulates that beginning in January of 2014 health insurance plans in the individual and small group markets must provide ten different “Essential Health Benefits”. Included on that list is hospitalization, maternity, and newborn care.
Beginning in October of 2013 you can enroll in a plan that will provide a minimum level of coverage to pay prenatal care, hospitalization, and baby care expenses. The coverage will be effective January 1, of 2014.
If you are expecting to delivery in 2013, your choices are limited to the options outlined above. For those expecting to deliver date in 2014 you may be able to cover your hospitalization; preexisting conditions must be covered with no waiting period.
Beginning in October of 2013 you can enroll in a plan that will provide a minimum level of coverage to pay prenatal care, hospitalization, and baby care expenses. The coverage will be effective January 1, of 2014.
If you are expecting to delivery in 2013, your choices are limited to the options outlined above. For those expecting to deliver date in 2014 you may be able to cover your hospitalization; preexisting conditions must be covered with no waiting period.
