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

mikelincs Jan 14th 2020 7:52 am

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by spouse of scouse (Post 12789332)
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.

The problem with that is that she will still have to pay, she is not a UK resident, so can't access free healthcare, and in the current political climate they are checking on everyone.

spouse of scouse Jan 14th 2020 8:24 am

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by mikelincs (Post 12789414)
The problem with that is that she will still have to pay, she is not a UK resident, so can't access free healthcare, and in the current political climate they are checking on everyone.

I know what you mean Mike, but if the OP returned with the intention of living in the UK, even for 6 months, then she would be eligible to use the NHS immediately. She's only been gone a month.

civilservant Jan 14th 2020 11:22 am

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 
This makes me want to beat my head into a wall. As a healthcare finance worker, I can tell you that people in this situation cost thousands in reimbursed care every year. I don't agree with Trump and Republicans on much, but on this subject I do. What ever happened to personal responsibility? Why is it the job of TX tax payers to bail the OP out of this situation? You haven't even paid one dime into the system!

OP - Go get yourself some insurance. You should not have waited this long, pregnant or not. Assuming the VA won't cover you (and I find it very unlikely they will) you'll need to get insurance through the health exchanges. This pregnancy is going to cost you a lot of money - you should be aware of that from the get go. This is not a situation that you can wait to address, it must be addressed now.


Basically just get insurance with a sensible deductible.....
That last part does not jive well with insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

tom169 Jan 14th 2020 11:39 am

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 
I've heard of people getting part time jobs at Starbucks to get their health insurance

Pulaski Jan 14th 2020 1:51 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by tom169 (Post 12789471)
I've heard of people getting part time jobs at Starbucks to get their health insurance

That probably explains why a Starbucks coffee costs $4 and a cookie costs $2.50. :rolleyes:

SpoogleDrummer Jan 14th 2020 6:24 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by civilservant (Post 12789469)
Why is it the job of TX tax payers to bail the OP out of this situation? You haven't even paid one dime into the system!

She may not have but she didn't get pregnant alone, her husband will have paid in throughout his life and I'm assuming they will both be paying in for many more. Plus in Texas they're making it harder to get an abortion so they'll no doubt have to get used to paying for pregnancies.

scrubbedexpat099 Jan 14th 2020 6:39 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 
Medicaid, and in this case Emergency Medicaid is I think a Federal programme so not a TX issue.

civilservant Jan 14th 2020 7:36 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by Boiler (Post 12789666)
Medicaid, and in this case Emergency Medicaid is I think a Federal programme so not a TX issue.

I'm not sure what people are referring too as 'Emergency Medicaid' - but usually that literally covers ER visits only.

excpomea Jan 14th 2020 8:07 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by civilservant (Post 12789689)
I'm not sure what people are referring too as 'Emergency Medicaid' - but usually that literally covers ER visits only.

Have never heard that expression before.

Pulaski Jan 14th 2020 8:08 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by mikelincs (Post 12789414)
The problem with that is that she will still have to pay, she is not a UK resident, so can't access free healthcare, and in the current political climate they are checking on everyone.

Do you have any evidence that is actually happening?

There has been a lot of noise in recent years about what should happen and "what the rules say", but I don't think I have seen much evidence of access to healthcare in the UK being policed effectively, and anecdotally on BE, generally people seem to report that there is little or no actual checking being performed at the point of access.

mikelincs Jan 14th 2020 9:15 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 12789715)
Do you have any evidence that is actually happening?

There has been a lot of noise in recent years about what should happen and "what the rules say", but I don't think I have seen much evidence of access to healthcare in the UK being policed effectively, and anecdotally on BE, generally people seem to report that there is little or no actual checking being performed at the point of access.

Yes, there have been people posting pictures of letters asking them for proof of their UK residence and why they are claiming NHS treatment, this is recent, and one was someone who has been in the UK for 25 years. I suspect it will only get worse.

tom169 Jan 14th 2020 9:22 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by mikelincs (Post 12789747)
Yes, there have been people posting pictures of letters asking them for proof of their UK residence and why they are claiming NHS treatment, this is recent, and one was someone who has been in the UK for 25 years. I suspect it will only get worse.

Worse... Implying validating residency is a bad thing. I sure would support it if I was a UK resident.

Pulaski Jan 14th 2020 9:29 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by mikelincs (Post 12789747)
Yes, there have been people posting pictures of letters asking them for proof of their UK residence and why they are claiming NHS treatment, this is recent, and one was someone who has been in the UK for 25 years. I suspect it will only get worse.

By "worse", I think you meant "better", or should have done. :unsure:

As you are a consumer of NHS services, I am mystified as to why you would object to the NHS trying to stop other people stealing NHS services (receiving "free" services) which they are not entitled to? This theft reduces resources available for legitimate consumers, including to you, and which ultimately could undermine the entire viability of the NHS. :confused:

scrubbedexpat099 Jan 15th 2020 3:00 am

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 
https://americanpregnancy.org/first-...regnant-women/

Just the top link for Emergency Medicaid, I have seen it most often for those who have children in the US when visiting and then have difficulties renewing their visa and get upset.

Seem to recollect it was quite common in CA and there were a few Court cases for those arranging such treatment.

millkeabe Jan 18th 2020 12:14 pm

Re: Pregnant without health insurance
 

Originally Posted by petitefrancaise (Post 12789303)
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

I did qualify thank you! I’m all insured now. Such a relief!!

Thank you everyone for all your advice and information.


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