Health Insurance with "Preexisting Conditions". Please advise.

[Quantess]

When I sign up for a health insurance plan, does a brand new pregnancy (less than 1 month) count as a pre-existing condition?

I want to get health insurance, but I may be a few weeks pregnant right now. I have no health insurance currently.

[RB TexLa]

1. It would have to be group coverage. Individual coverage doesn't provide pregnancy coverage

The only people who would buy pregnancy coverage are people who are planning on becoming pregnant.

[Quantess]

4. Thanks. Could I get pregnancy coverage on my own?

I have gone without health insurance most of my life, and so I think I'll be fine if only get a plan that specifically covers pregnancy issues.

I am so clueless about health insurance, so I appreciate any info.

[RB TexLa]

7. It would have to be group coverage through an employer.

The only pregnancy coverage sold with an individual policy I have ever seen had an 18 month waiting period and it wasn't worth the cost.

[Warpy]

9. I don't know of any of the bloodsuc....er, insurance companies

that will cover an established pregnancy.

[MineralMan]

2. I imagine it does...

but you'll have to check.

[panader0]

3. Wait a couple of months to buy insurance

Maybe you'll get a better deal.

[cbayer]

5. Easy answer is yes.

Any condition that you have prior to signing up has to be revealed, and they may deny coverage of that condition (including pregnancy).

One reason they do this is to prevent people from signing up for insurance when they know they have a problem. Not saying it's right, but that's the way it is.

OTOH, most state medicaid programs are very favorable towards pregnant women, but those are based solely on income. If you don't meet their requirements, you may be able to find a doctor and hospital that would agree to take care of you during your pregnancy and delivery for a flat fee (possibly less than the insurance premiums during that time period).

Congratulations!

:toast:

[Quantess]

8. Sounds about right. But, what if I signed up tomorrow as though I'm not pregnant?

At this stage, it's likely that I wouldn't know I'm pregnant. It's so early I'm not 100% sure of my condition. So how about if I wait a month or two before I finally see a doctor about my newly revealed pregnancy? I wonder if that would still count as a preexisting condition.

Thanks for the tip about the other options. I will look into them.

[XOKCowboy]

11. How good is your lawyer?

The insurance company will do anything to prove that you were pregnant when you applied. I'm not even sure that you need to "know" of a pre-existing condition. Something tells me that there is some very fine print in your insurance app indemnifying them.

Sorry to be so pessimistic but I have no faith in the insurance industry.

[cbayer]

13. I agree with this. If you lie on the application, they will do everything they can

to disallow your claims. Not worth it at all, IMO.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

6. You have to purchase maternity coverage.

I know, it sucks.

Women get screwed in health insurance. Even those of us who have no plans to ever have a child pay higher premiums than men because we supposedly "use more health services". The thing that really chaps me about that is that in many cases it's involuntary. My HMO makes me come in twice a year for various tests and exams. Also, if you're on birth control of any kind you typically have to go in to see the doctor after 3 refills to get your next one.

Sorry for going OT but I just fucking hate health insurance. :grr:

[Quantess]

14. Women supposedly "use more health services"?

Not me. I rarely go in for more than an annual exam. That's why I haven't really bemoaned my lack of health insurance until now.

But, I predict insurance companies would want to charge me more just for being over 30 and pregnant, even though I'm in excellent health.

[XOKCowboy]

10. Counting on insurance companies for our health care.. How screwed up is that?

Fuck health insurance. We need health care that's not defined by a bean counter.

[aikoaiko]

12. Mine did, but it depends on the plan and arrangements, if any, with an employer.

[hunter]

15. I'm no expert, but it probably doesn't matter if they know or not.

Unless you have very good group health insurance, through an employer maybe, you are in for a rough ride. I learned health insurance companies are no good when our kids were born. Single Payer Health Care YES!

Our first kid was complicated and our supposedly good insurance covered like 60% of the bill which came in one fat 9 X 12 envelope and a couple of regular envelopes. Our second kid was even more complicated and cost twice as much.

But babies are worth it!

If you can't buy insurance, most states will cover you. Don't hold back from getting good prenatal care even if you don't have any money. It's not a good idea to borrow money for this either -- you'll be better off if you negotiate directly with the doctors and hospitals. Don't let some horrible credit card or finance company get involved. We did, and it was a mistake. At about the same time my brother had a very serious illness and he simply shrugged his shoulders and said, "Oh well, looks like this is going to bankrupt me..." which sent the credit leeches running and allowed him to negotiate payment plans with the hospital and his doctors. He jokes that this is why he survived, because if he had died the hospital and doctors would have to take the loss.

Congratulations! My kids are big now and I miss having little kids around the house.

[Midlodemocrat]

16. Is this through an employer?

If so, the pre-existing might not apply. If not, yes, it does.

Now, if you do not know for sure that you are pregnant and there is no medical dx of said pregnancy, then you simply didn't know, right? *wink*

[Quantess]

17. I have at least one job offer with health insurance.

Which means I will have to wait 60 to 90 days to start getting insurance.

Now, if you do not know for sure that you are pregnant and there is no medical dx of said pregnancy, then you simply didn't know, right? *wink*
That's kind of what I was hoping to do, but after reading the replies, it may not be feasible.

[Midlodemocrat]

18. Most OBs won't even see you until you miss two periods.

Just throwing that out there.

Good luck.