Health Insurance For Pregnant Women – Undoubtedly, pregnancy is considered a period of expectation and significant change. However, it usually comes with complicated and expensive expenses and medical needs. This is where health insurance steps in to act as a safety net for handling these demanding costs and gives easy access to the necessary healthcare and financial support as well.
But what is the best health insurance for pregnant women? Although multiple insurance providers offer such services, in this article, we will only be selecting some of the best options to make it easier for you to choose a policy or plan to meet your needs financially and medically.
What Does Health Insurance Cover for Pregnant Women?
Here are some pregnancy-related services that will be covered by a standard health insurance policy:
Pregnancy Costs Coverage
- Blood work.
- Regular doctor visits.
- Smoking cessation programs.
- Ultrasounds.
- Screenings for pregnancy-related conditions.
- Prenatal vitamins.
- Lab tests.
Delivery Cost Coverage
- Hospitalization.
- Labor induction medication.
- Epidurals and other types of pain management.
- Vaginal or cesarean birth.
Postpartum Costs Coverage
- Lactation consultation.
- Breastfeeding equipment and support.
- Newborn care.
- Birth control.
Best Health Insurance for Pregnant Women
Various health insurance companies offer coverage and services to pregnant women. However, if you have no idea which provider specializes in such services, here is a list of some of the best health insurance for pregnant women:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield.
- Kaiser Permanente.
- UnitedHealthcare.
- Aetna.
- Health Net.
- Molina Healthcare.
Blue Cross Blue Shield
This is one of the best health insurance companies for pregnant women. Even though they have high out-of-pocket costs and premiums, they offer extensive coverage, especially for expecting mothers. Some of their services include postnatal care, regular prenatal visits, labor, and delivery. So, if you are considering your budget, Blue Cross Blue Shield is a good choice.
Kaiser Permanente
When it comes to customer service, Kaiser Permanente is number one. It is also popular for its coherent care model, which makes sure that pregnant women enjoy seamless access to delivery, prenatal care, and postnatal support. In other words, you can access comprehensive maternity management programs and low out-of-pocket costs. However, its services are restricted or limited in some states.
UnitedHealthcare
Another health insurance provider I would love to recommend is UnitedHealthcare. It is also a good option for low out-of-pocket costs, especially for pregnant women. Additionally, they have a wide network of providers as well as various plan options, which make maternity care flexible. Other aspects of coverage include postnatal services, delivery, and prenatal care services for extra convenience. However, their out-of-pocket costs and premiums might be higher.
Aetna
Aetna is one of the best health insurance for pregnant women. They are also well-known for their cheap rates. This insurance provider offers wide maternity coverage like prenatal, postnatal, and delivery care. What’s more, you can access a large network of healthcare providers, and there are various plan options for different needs.
Health Net
Similar to Aetna, Health Net is known for its affordable and cheap health insurance plans with broad maternity coverage. Moreover, they pay attention to offering resources and support for expecting mothers, even though their network is not as wide as other insurance companies. However, keep in mind that their plain details and coverage limits might differ, which is why you need to go through the specifics of the policy carefully.
Molina Healthcare
This is another insurance company that offers cost-effective healthcare plans with the necessary newborn care, prenatal care, delivery, and other important maternity services. Although the size of their network is smaller, they provide different resources and programs for pregnant women. On the other hand, their services are limited in certain states.
How to Choose the Best Health Insurance For Pregnant Women
Careful consideration of various factors is required when it comes to choosing the right health insurance policy. By considering these factors, you will not find it hard to get a good healthcare plan for your needs:
- Providers’ network.
- Coverage details.
- Additional benefits.
- Premium costs.
- Healthcare plan type.
- Pre-existing conditions.
If you are still having trouble, you can consult an insurance broker or agent who will assist you in searching for a good plan to meet your budget and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pregnancy a pre-existing condition?
The answer to whether or not pregnancy is a pre-existing condition depends on the policy. Any health insurance plan that follows ACA guidelines will not consider pregnancy as a preexisting condition.
Does Medicare cover pregnancy?
Certainly, Medicare covers both childbirth and pregnancy. Part A of Medicare covers hospital services. On the other hand, Part B covers outpatient procedures, blood work, lab tests, and doctor services.
Will short-term health insurance cover pregnancy?
Most short-term health insurance policies consider pregnancy as a preexisting condition; therefore, coverage will not be offered. Nevertheless, you can still find a short-term health insurance plan that covers pregnancy.