dem0210

I may be wrong, but I don't think the OP has said that she's intending to enter the US with the intention of adjusting status? She has merely said that she wants to be there for the birth - she hasn't mentioned staying permanently? She asked does she have to be married to get health insurance - I don't think she said she wants to or plans to get married? Surely, in that case, technically she could travel over on her existing visa (or under the ESTA visa waiver) as long as she didn't stay any longer than it permits, have the baby, and return to the UK? My interpretation was that she wants to have the baby in the US because she will have the support of her boyfriend and his family who were very keen to help?

civilservant

And no health insurance.... start off by incurring $20k in debt

dem0210

As the daughter of a midwife, I can also say that the NHS recommendations are that not harmful to mother or baby (unless there are complications in the pregnancy). Up to 28 weeks you can fly without even informing the airline. After this, the airline may ask for a doctors letter to say you are fit to fly. The only time its not really recommended is from 37 weeks onwards (earlier of you're expecting twins). I flew long haul during all of my pregnancies with no problems. There is THE COST of the birth to consider though. Without health insurance I definitely wouldn't recommend it.

civilservant

And you don't think the CBP Office might ask when she's due - and then ask who she's visiting - and then bounce her back to the UK?

Because I do!

dem0210

One of my friends gave birth in the US and was covered by her travel insurance.
The baby was early of course ...

Another friend was working there when her baby arrived early, she was covered under her health insurance through her employer?

Its hard to know when we're missing some important details.

Maybe the OP's boyfriend and/or parents are completely rolling in it ;0)

dem0210

That friend I mentioned earlier (the travel insurance one) was visiting her (then) boyfriend (now husband) in the US when she was 7 months pregnant and somehow managed it.
Don't know if it makes a difference, but it was almost 10 years ago?

civilservant

Well the reality is she might be allowed entry.... or she might not. However if she is refused entry then she is not going to be seeing the baby's father in the US before she gets a visa. Depends on how much risk one is prepared to accept.

dem0210

True.

DebzinUS

No need to worry about cost of delivery. Just show up, deliver and request Emergency Medicaid. The hospital will be glad to comply. When I was a women's health director Emergency Medicaid was used this all the time (daily sometimes) for undocumented immigrants with an emergency healthcare diagnosis (Labor and Delivery). Labor and delivery is considered an emergency under the EMTALA Federal statute. The hospital has an obligation to stabilize what may be an emergency medical condition. The law states the only way to stabilize a laboring women is delivery. After delivery, the dad can sign an affidavit of paternity, and then be placed on the birth certificate as the father. Over the years I have seen this scenario hundreds of times.

kimilseung

I wouldnt want to be in hospital by choice under those circumstances. Fine if no alternatives, but I would not want to be so easily kicked out of hospital.

DebzinUS

We cant kick anyone out. It's against the law. These patients get the same care as any other patient admitted to any of units I managed. Its just not that well known.

ian-mstm

While the hospital will comply with the law - I doubt they do it gladly! They'd much rather get reimbursed for their costs rather than claim it as a charitable donation on their taxes!

Ian

kimilseung

Same care like for like, but it is my understanding that the cost structures for Medicaid make for interesting decisions at times. Costs being fixed and refusal to pay for readmittance within specific timelines being outlined in a very different way to regular insurance. My concern would be for less serious complications that may facilitate discharge but preclude readmittance.

DebzinUS

Sorry getting off post here..but yes, Generally a patient who is admitted without any insurance is classed as self pay. The problem is that self pay is also known as "no pay" One of my jobs was to check each patients insurance status each morning and make sure that any self pay patients were referred for emergency medicaid. Any reimbursement from any source is better than having to write off the entire bill as indigent care.

DebzinUS

Medicaid pays poorly. However, I can honestly say in 30 odd years in the US baby business I have never seen the concerns you describe. I cant say it wouldn't or hasn't happened, I just haven't had that experience.