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-   -   Pregnant without health insurance (https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/pregnant-without-health-insurance-930354/)

millkeabe Jan 13th 2020 7:31 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by SanDiegogirl (Post 12789248)
With the greatest of respect, if things are so obvious to you why are you asking a general forum for 'tips on last minute insurance'

Getting medical insurance appears to have been something you did not take into account when moving to the US.

I do not have to justify myself to you or explain my situation. If you could kindly refrain from commenting that would be great.

SanDiegogirl Jan 13th 2020 7:37 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by millkeabe (Post 12789254)
I do not have to justify myself to you or explain my situation. If you could kindly refrain from commenting that would be great.


OK .....

Giantaxe Jan 13th 2020 7:38 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by millkeabe (Post 12789254)
I do not have to justify myself to you or explain my situation. If you could kindly refrain from commenting that would be great.

You don't get that luxury on a public forum. And although I agree with you on the nature of those posts, remember that threads are read by others than the OP, i.e. than you. Presumably because of the availability of the NHS, we see many posts on here from people who have given little or no thought to healthcare before moving. So if this thread helps folks about to move to think more about healthcare access in advance of moving, then that's all good.

Anyway, good luck with your situation. I do think VA is your priority to follow up on, depending on what your husband's access to it is.

excpomea Jan 13th 2020 7:54 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 
There are many, 10 I believe levels of VA care. To get the top care you have to have retired after a full service or have some sort of service connected disability.
VA care covers veterans, not their immediate family. There is Tri care, but that's typically for families of serving personnel.
I'm guessing that the VA will not be an avenue that will be of any help.
But on the bright side, there are millions of Americans with absolutely no health insurance and they still seem to manage to pop out babies.

As for the cost, here in N Fl. An Egyptian friend recently had a child, he was not a resident, just here on a 3 month vacation. His out of pocket costs were about $13K.
He did not have access to medicare or any other socialized medical support. He wanted to pay out of pocket with decent hospital care.
The birth was uncomplicated and straightforwards.
On a plus, his daughter now has an American passport.

ddsrph Jan 13th 2020 9:08 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by excpomea (Post 12789264)
There are many, 10 I believe levels of VA care. To get the top care you have to have retired after a full service or have some sort of service connected disability.
VA care covers veterans, not their immediate family. There is Tri care, but that's typically for families of serving personnel.
I'm guessing that the VA will not be an avenue that will be of any help.
But on the bright side, there are millions of Americans with absolutely no health insurance and they still seem to manage to pop out babies.

As for the cost, here in N Fl. An Egyptian friend recently had a child, he was not a resident, just here on a 3 month vacation. His out of pocket costs were about $13K.
He did not have access to medicare or any other socialized medical support. He wanted to pay out of pocket with decent hospital care.
The birth was uncomplicated and straightforwards.
On a plus, his daughter now has an American passport.

The only way she could get coverage thru military would be like you stated would be if husband was retired and she would be eligible for his Tricare. If he is just a veteran with less than retired status the VA will cover only him and not dependants.

Giantaxe Jan 13th 2020 9:20 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 
Ok, then Medicaid, assuming the OP's husband's income is low enough for her to qualify:

https://yourtexasbenefits.hhsc.texas...women/pregnant

If not, then an ACA policy

petitefrancaise Jan 13th 2020 9:21 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 
go to healthcare.gov and see if you qualify for a special enrollment period. Since you've been here for less than 60 days you should qualify.- so tick that button.
I went through the questionnaire using my own texas zipcode so the same results should be relevant to you

spouse of scouse Jan 13th 2020 11:42 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by millkeabe (Post 12789212)
I moved to the US a month ago and I have to admit I’ve been a bit lax getting settled in. 90% of my belongings are still in the UK let alone getting any health insurance. Well I’ve just found out I’m pregnant - and now I’m definitely in a pickle!

any tips on how to get some last minute insurance?

- The new requirement that immigrants need to have health insurance is definitely supported by me!! Wouldn’t wish this on anyone! -

If push comes to shove (sorry about the birth pun!) and you can't get insurance, you may want to consider moving back to the UK until after the birth. It's probably the last thing you want to do, but as a last resort it would be better than starting a family with a huge debt hanging over your heads. Good luck with your pregnancy and the birth of your little one.

scrubbedexpat099 Jan 13th 2020 11:50 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 
Emergency Medicaid is the fall back, assuming they qualify.

tom169 Jan 14th 2020 12:52 am

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 
Many hospitals will offer discounts / aid if income is a % of poverty level. They won't advertise this, but you can ask.

excpomea Jan 14th 2020 2:10 am

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 
https://apple.news/A5ovMV6ShRC-Uhj9mxxuBqA


Nutmegger Jan 14th 2020 2:37 am

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 
The OP doesn’t say that it is financial difficulty that has precluded her getting insurance, but lack of organization. Therefore her options are to be added to whatever coverage her OH has or to apply to the state ACA entity and she should investigate both immediately. Good luck and congratulations on the pending happy event!

scrubbedexpat097 Jan 14th 2020 4:01 am

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by Giantaxe (Post 12789301)
Ok, then Medicaid, assuming the OP's husband's income is low enough for her to qualify:

https://yourtexasbenefits.hhsc.texas...women/pregnant

If not, then an ACA policy


Originally Posted by Boiler (Post 12789334)
Emergency Medicaid is the fall back, assuming they qualify.


I think Medicaid rules have changed for visa holders haven't they? I don't think they qualify anymore.

scrubbedexpat099 Jan 14th 2020 6:11 am

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by Sugarmooma (Post 12789380)
I think Medicaid rules have changed for visa holders haven't they? I don't think they qualify anymore.

NY and CA give it from day 1, full Medicaid, anybody can get Emergency Medicaid. Used by tourists for example.

scrubbedexpat096 Jan 14th 2020 6:58 am

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by excpomea (Post 12789362)


So she actually paid #3000 dollars despite the article listing a several conflating costs. And had a very complicated birth...

​​​​ Basically just get insurance with a sensible deductible.....

​​​​​


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