About Sara Scherer Expertise I have 13 years experience in Medical Insurance with one of the largest insurance companies in the United States. I know about plans, plan wording, and how to get around the insurance company when you need help. I worked with Medicare, Medicaid, PPO plans as well as HMO`s. I can help you get the answers you are looking for.
Experience I have 13 years experience with medical insurance. I currently work with pharmacists and their third party plans. I have worked with medical review boards and I can help you get the answers you need.
Question Hi Sara. I'm in a situation where I am unemployed and without health insurance. My husband is a full-time student and we are no longer eligible for COBRA with the NAVY (his past employer) because apparently you have to decide you want it within 30 days of separating. It's been about 90 days and I've been applying for jobs left and right to no avail. I haven't given up and won't, but I'm afraid I will have to take a job that doesn't provide benefits. So we are trying to find insurance we can buy ourselves for the interim or even long-term, but no one will give us maternity coverage with these expensive plans...upwards of $400/month..at least without a waiting period and very limited benefits.
My question is this, in case I get pregnant which is something we'd like to see in the near future, do I have any other options to help pay for the costs of having a baby? Can I qualify for Medicare benefits if we have assets but little or no income? We are smart with our money and investments but don't want to have to pay up to $20,000 out of our savings to have a child because no one will cover us. Do you have any suggestions or are we destined to pay out of pocket because we are smart enough to save?
Answer Can he get any sort of medical coverage through his school? If not, wait until you have a job. Maternity care is expensive and you will be paying out of pocket if you aren't destitute. Medicaid will consider all of your assets before you can qualify. So unless you are completely broke or close to it, Medicaid will not take you on.
I would seriously not concieve until I have a job with benefits. Your husband is a student and having a baby is very hard financially. You will not only have the maternity care but also all of the newborn care. And if anything goes wrong, the cost of a sick baby can go into the millions of dollars. I am not saying it will happen to you but it does happen and it is overwhelming.
Keep looking for a job before you get pregnant. As much as you may want a baby, in the long run it won't eat up all of your savings.
