What health insurance usually covers during pregnancy depends largely on your health insurance policy, whether it is individual or group insurance, the health insurance agency, where you live and where you give birth. Insurance also usually does not pay all of the medical costs but most of it, leaving a certain percentage to be borne by the insured. Again, the percentage depends largely on the insurance company, and the premium paid up.
Usually if companies of more than fifteen staff are involved, insurance can be claimed under pregnancy-related medical expenses. Oftentimes, health insurance also depends on what local labor laws apply.
Pregnancy involves high risks especially when they run in the family, when working mothers live stressful lives, and more so when fetal substance abuse is present. What does health insurance possibly cover during pregnancy in the face of high abortion rates, natural or man-induced? The items below are what are normally covered.
Nonetheless, check out the entire list with your health insurance agent because differences do occur from one insurance policy to another, depending on your health history and the insurance company. The booklet issued to you usually contains what can and what cannot be claimed.
* In-network or Out-of-network prenatal care / visits to doctors and hospitals
Depending on the insurance policy, such visits are usually covered when you pay an annual premium. The amount to be deducted is usually part of the cost, and the limit for claims depends on the premium and policy.
* Normal births / births by cesarean section
Costs related to normal births are usually covered, again, depending on your insurance policy. Because births by cesarean section are more common these days, they are also covered, again depending on your insurance policy. Check it out with your insurance agent very carefully before you take up the policy. You may need to pay a higher premium to cover births by cesarean section in some places.
* Visits to obstetricians
Read between the fine lines of your policy and consult your insurance agent on whether you need a referral letter from your primary care doctor to do so, especially if the obstetrician is not listed in the in-network list of your insurance policy.
* Prenatal tests such as ultrasounds and amniocentesis procedures
These may or may not be covered, depending again on your personal or company’s insurance policy. Scrutinize the booklet that holds all the information.
* Medicines and vitamins
Again, these may or may not be covered, depending on your personal or company’s insurance policy.
Because of the rising cost of living and medical, do consult friends and relatives who have purchased similar insurance policies. Keep yourself informed and updated on changes.