Ask an Expert: Pregnancy, Coverage for Kids, and Health Reform
Posted April 11th, 2012 by Claire Moshenberg and Ashley WheelandA few weeks ago, the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative hosted an informative Facebook chat with MomsRising about the Affordable Care Act. Here are a few commonly asked questions on pregnancy, kids, and health reform, with expert answers and resources from Ashley Wheeland from the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.
What if I get pregnant then lose my job and health coverage?
Ashley: Depending on why you lost your job you can maintain your insurance because of a law known as COBRA for a certain amount of time. However employees have to pay for the costs of the insurance, which can be somewhat pricy. Depending on your family income you may also be able to qualify for Medicaid, which covers pregnant women in every state. Check out these resources for additional information:
- Health Plans & Benefits: Continuation of Health Coverage–COBRA
- What special Medicaid coverage is available to Women
- Medicaid State Information
If you are married, you may have access to special enrollment through your spouse’s plan. See ‘Typical Questions About Special Enrollment’ from the US Dept of Labor website.
If you are under age 26, you may be eligible to enroll with your parents existing plan. Check out opportunities to re-enroll on the CMS website. To enroll in a new individual health plan, check out this tutorial.
I’m on Medicaid and pregnant. After I have my baby, will she or he be on Medicaid too? What’s my next step to get my baby covered?
Ashley: Yes your baby would get coverage under Medicaid is the mother is. This ensures babies get the health care checks they need, and mother’s get the assistance and advice they need to provide important infant care. Studies show infants need consistent care to ensure they grow into healthy kids. Visit www.cms.gov for more information on Medicaid.
Will I be able to buy my child health insurance even if he or she has a pre-existing condition?
Ashley: Yes – insurers cannot deny coverage for preexisting conditions for children starting with the passage of the law in 2010, for adults in 2014. This is vital to giving Americans the piece of mind that they can get the health care coverage the need. Check out Thanks Obamacare for more benefits of the ACA.
1 Comment
July 17, 2012 at 9:03 am by HaanyThere have been success stroeis with medicaid, though. An Alaska hospital was forbidden to continue to bill a medicaid patient to fed. medicaid rules. Incentives are given to medicaid recepients, such as benefit enhancement if they utilize clinics more than ERs. West Virginia is a model of medicaid negotiation. Beneficiaries sign personal responsibility contracts to agree to follow through with thier medical care. As a sidenote, West Virginia was coerced to decrease attempted medicaid cuts due to issues that surfaced, and the publicity related to these issues involved the media, perhaps with some persuasion.There is also medicaid fraud control units to protect taxpayer dollars.While out of our control, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, supported by the administration, was the catalyst for these unfortunate reductions in care, while shifting the blame to the states. But if we are assertive, we can have a series of victories to benefit others.
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