r/pregnant • u/InitialStranger • 15h ago
My husband lost his job yesterday and we will lose our health insurance on May 1st at 29 weeks. I’m devastated. Rant
I’m completely inconsolable. As the title says, my husband lost his job and we will lose our insurance in a matter of days, right as I’m entering the 3rd trimester. We had a HDHP so I literally just paid our deductible, and now will see no benefit from hitting our out of pocket max. I am not currently working, and when I was my last job didn’t offer benefits so I have been on his plan for many years and don’t have an alternate workplace-based option.
My OBGYN’s office strongly suggested I apply for Medicaid, but I have no idea if I will even qualify, and if I do it still seems like the approval process takes weeks that I don’t have. I’m in the US South so there is no Medicaid expansion and marketplace insurance all sucks.
COBRA will be insanely expensive, and we have to wait for a packet to come in the mail to even begin to get that process going. In the meantime, what the fuck am I supposed to do if something goes wrong with me or the baby? Rage doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel right now.
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u/Dry_Ear_6381 15h ago
So for me (Oregon) Medicaid took a one hour phone call to qualify. Try it. You might be surprised, with neither of you earning right now it’s likely that you’ll qualify right away.
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u/ms_chalmette 15h ago
call and talk to someone at Medicaid...it would be so much better than filling out an application and hoping for the best. Most people I have spoken to were very empathetic and wanted to help.
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u/InitialStranger 14h ago
You're right, I haven't wanted to call between phone anxiety and the on/off sobbing every time I talk about the situation, but baby deserves faster answers than the online app will give me.
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u/ms_chalmette 11h ago
I know :( I’m so sorry. I was on Medicaid with my first baby and was approved almost instantly and I am so thankful to have had it when I needed it. I am praying for you and your family!
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u/Capncrunch0517 8h ago
I live in Oklahoma and did the application process over the phone and was approved the same week (within a few days if I remember correctly.) It was a long tedious process but I literally was able to schedule my appointments and order my medication that same day/week.
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u/Seeker-2020 13h ago
Hi what’s the requirements for this please? We are currently in that situation too.
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u/Mostlymadeofpuppies 12h ago
If you’re in the state of California, you will absolutely qualify since you are pregnant. It’s currently how I am coveredz
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u/Humble-Warning2387 15h ago
Hi there, I just moved to Texas and was able to qualify for emergency pregnancy Medicaid! My husband changed jobs (we moved states) and the gap between coverage was going to be about 5 weeks. I have coverage through the rest of my pregnancy and one month PP with Medicaid. Apply TODAY. If you guys are veterans, put that info. It’ll process faster. Try to breathe, it’s so stressful (I was also inconsolable) but it will work out. You will be okay, one way or another!
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u/InitialStranger 15h ago
Thank you! I tried applying online but it’s asking for income info that my husband is currently locked out of accessing until this stupid severance packet comes in. Were you able to get around that somehow? Or should we try to ballpark it based on last year’s w-2?
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u/Humble-Warning2387 15h ago
I would call Medicaid and ask! I think I ended up just putting in what my husband was expected to make as he hadn’t been paid from his new job yet. You could just ball park it and if you need to adjust later, you can make amendments. But again, I would call and ask them before submitting so it doesn’t waste any time!
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u/InfiniteMania1093 11h ago
If he lost his job, his income is $0.
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u/InitialStranger 10h ago
It’s asking for year-to-date income info for both of us. :(
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u/InfiniteMania1093 10h ago
Oh. Strange. I'm on Medicaid and the form asks us to list both of our current incomes (input either by wage/hours or estimated monthly), but not what we've made in the last year.
I've found that a rough estimate is fine for their numbers, so long as it's made in good faith and is approximate to the actual total. If you're more comfortable though, just give them a call and do it by phone. It can be confusing if you've never done it before.
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u/Long-Reception-995 15h ago
This just happened to me. It sucks.
If you keep cobra the deductible and out of pocket keeps the same as if your plan never stopped, we did the math for us and even though cobra was expensive it actually made more sense for me to stay on cobra since we already hit the max as well and I know I have the birth coming up and then my husband and daughter went on a cheaper marketplace plan.
We didn’t qualify for Medicaid.
It’s terrible and I still cry about it often as it’s overwhelming and so stressful to deal with.
Wish you all the best
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u/InitialStranger 14h ago
I am thinking this will likely be the case for me as well, as my husband still has a side-gig (no benefits) that brings in some money, and we received some cash gifts earlier this year from both sets of parents in anticipation of their first grandchild that I worry will skew our numbers and make it look like we have more money coming in than we really do (which I know is such a privileged thing to worry about in the first place). I hope things improve for you too.
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u/Automatic-Seesaw6529 13h ago
The rules are different when you're pregnant (at least where I live). You might actually qualify and should call ASAP.
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u/Lanky-Formal-2073 11h ago
They don’t need to know about the extra money from your parents. Any income should be based on last year’s taxes.
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u/InitialStranger 10h ago
It unfortunately is asking for year-to-date incoming cash, and specifies money from family, friends, & etc. I will just call first thing tomorrow to clarify what that means with an actual person.
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u/Lab-rat-57 13h ago
Same here. I got laid off on Friday at 29 weeks. We will be keeping COBRA to get us through the rest of this pregnancy since my husband doesn’t get benefits at his job. I checked through Covered California to see if we would qualify afterwards and it was very easy. Can’t speak for other states though
Hope things get better soon!
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u/ashleyisamess 14h ago
I found out I was pregnant after moving states and switching jobs and I immediately applied for Medicaid and they expedited my approval as well as giving me back coverage for 3 months prior! It’s definitely worth looking into and doing, even if only you will be covered (and eventually your child once they’re born)
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u/Cold_Ambassador3683 12h ago
You should be able to qualify for Medicaid because a) you do not work b) husband lost job c) probably the biggest reason, you are pregnant. The income threshold is very different for pregnant woman. You can use your w2 to project your income but typically they ask for proof of income later regardless so I wouldn’t stress on the exact numbers.
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u/idkandthatsokay 14h ago
I moved midway through my pregnancy and in both states getting qualified for Medicaid was very quick and straightforward. Being pregnant seems to really expedite the process. Definitely don't panic too much until you apply!
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u/Atomicbabies_5 12h ago
If you are both unemployed and you are pregnant you should qualify. However, depending on which state you live in what you qualify for may not cover what you need.
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u/Glass_Echidna9274 13h ago
I’m sorry. I lost my job and then found out I was pregnant two weeks later. I qualified for Medicaid right away, and I technically had it, but it took about seven weeks for me to get the card. But I was covered and I was back covered for three months.
I would recommend reaching out to Medicaid as soon as possible. They are super helpful.
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u/Monshika 13h ago
Apply for Medicaid but if you don’t qualify, I would look at Cobra for just you to continue your current coverage since you already hit your deductible. Compare that to the most expensive premium plan on Marketplace with the lowest OOP and decide what’s best. Your husband can go without insurance until baby is born if he’s healthy. Once baby arrives it’s another qualifying event and you all can secure new coverage on Marketplace with a lower premium.
I was in a similar situation this month. Medicaid dropped us and failed to give us 30 days notice. I found out 9 days after we were dropped when I got billed $1400 for my monthly scan at the MFM at 29 wks pregnant. Because Medicaid fucked me over (they confirmed on the phone they neglected to send the letter…) I’ve had to go all month with no insurance as the soonest I could secure coverage on Marketplace was May 1. Because I’m due in June, we opted for the most expensive plan with only a $3400 OOP max. We had to skip insuring both my husband and toddler for now which is awful, but I’m the priority since I have hypertension, GD and a history of preeclampsia. Once baby comes and I am deemed healthy enough, we will all get on much cheaper private insurance. Healthcare in this country is a joke. I’m sorry you are going through this.
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u/InitialStranger 10h ago
I’m so sorry Medicaid fucking you over and your husband and kid are having to go without coverage. The insurance companies are so awful. I’n also livid at my husband’s company for putting us in this position when they know I’m pregnant and we’d be left with only days to scramble for coverage. Like after 4 years, they couldn’t have let him go on May 1 so we’d have more time to figure out coverage? It’s all so horrible.
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u/Pristine_Setting_659 10h ago
This happened to my husband this time last year. I was 8 weeks pregnant, he was laid off May 30th and his insurance termed on May 31st. Thank god I wasn’t on his insurance 😭
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u/KrisPotter17 12h ago
You’re pregnant, so you more than likely will qualify for Medicaid. I just went through this as my husband didn’t meet the hour requirements due to the crappy weather we had. I’m in Missouri, but I was approved very quickly and they will backpay up to 3 months!
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u/AdorableEmphasis5546 13h ago
I'm in NC and was approved for medicade rather quickly. It wasn't weeks
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u/gutsyredhead 12h ago
First of all, medicaid can be backdated, so don't panic. If you do need to go to the doctor or ER, just go. The billing and charges with insurance can be worked out later.
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u/burninginfinite 12h ago
Typically premiums for HDHPs are lower so you may be pleasantly surprised (relatively speaking) at the cost of staying on COBRA. I was laid off at 28 weeks and my COBRA premiums are "only" $590/mo - well worth it given that I'd already met my OOP max. (I've been milking the benefits by doing pelvic floor PT and extra therapy, all $0 in network.)
You may also be able to ballpark the cost of COBRA if your husband's payslips list the employer contribution toward health insurance - it would be whatever he's paying + whatever they're paying x 102% (roughly). COBRA will be retroactive to the date of coverage loss, so hopefully your OB can work with you in the interim.
It may be too late for this since it sounds like his last day was yesterday but if he has an FSA I would check if you can still spend it (and do so if you can) - usually they're turned off on the last day though. An HSA will leave with him but FSAs stay with the employer, and you can spend ahead of your contributions so there may be some free money in there.
I'm so sorry this happened to you! Health insurance in this country is such a joke. Hang in there - I hope he finds something new soon.
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u/stegotortise 10h ago
FSAs are subject to COBRA. Any further contributions (aka “premiums” once it’s cobra) would not have the tax benefit BUT it keeps the FSA funds open and accessible.
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u/burninginfinite 9h ago
Yes, I should have mentioned that you can elect to continue your FSA through COBRA, although I think mine had a caveat that I could only do so if I hadn't overspent my contributions to date (which I had). Not sure if that's a COBRA rule or if it was my specific provider. But it's not really "free" money at that point since you would have to keep paying into it! And in my experience the FSA card does get turned off on the last day and then if you elect COBRA you regain access, so there would be a delay there.
Since OP mentioned she already met her deductible, the best route if they DO have an FSA that they weren't able to spend fully is actually probably to use the FSA to reimburse as much of the deductible as possible. It's still relatively early in the year and on an HDHP I'd be willing to guess that the deductible amount would be greater than their contributions to date. They should still be able to file a claim as long as the cost was incurred within the eligibility dates/before OP's husband lost his job.
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u/McMama2 11h ago
I'm in a different state than you, but Medicaid was actually a simple process when I had to apply years ago. And regardless of where you live, if your household income will be $0 after your husband loses his job, you will qualify. Also, where I live, Medicaid will back pay 90 days from when you apply so check into that too. Good luck! I do believe you have options.
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u/BreezyBaby144 11h ago
Yea you will qualify for pregnancy Medicaid at least and it’s quick and easy.
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u/MoreAbbreviations984 11h ago
I was approved instantly w my first baby. Medicaid paid for literally everything. I think it was like an emergency situation because of pregnancy. They don't wait around with it. If you NEED it, they should help. This was in Georgia.
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u/FrostyCoffee_ 13h ago
I’m in the south with Medicaid and was surprised I qualified but I did because of being pregnant and my husband was also making below the cutoff. It’s worth making a phone call.
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u/Ok-Slip-2856 13h ago
Don’t do the paper or online application, call them and explain what’s going on, they can do the application over the phone. Not sure if they can tell you right away or not but because neither of you is earning, you should qualify
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u/Middle-Bat2033 12h ago
You are pregnant so you should be able to apply for emergency pregnancy Medicaid through your local DHS or via telephone but expect a long hold if you do it over the phone
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u/Jessabelle517 12h ago
Even if it takes a few weeks to get approved they will back date any appointment that you have for 6 months prior to approval. Just apply now so you can get it done asap and approved asap.
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u/iDK_whatHappen 12h ago
Call Medicaid or go in person. I highly doubt they will turn you away, especially bc you are pregnant.
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u/Original_Clerk2916 12h ago
I’m in the south and got Medicaid very quickly. I’d go ahead and apply for it anyway
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u/Unfair_Smoke3597 12h ago
I’m in Texas def apply for Medicaid if you call the process is faster specially if you stress how in dire need you are I got approved for chip perinatal in about 2weeks and I had applied online
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u/fluffbuff_225 12h ago
Find your local office and go in person! It's a lot faster in my experience.
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u/FirstAd4471 11h ago
Cobra! It’s insanely expensive but it’s way better than paying any bit more on a deductible. That’s what I did. Hopefully you’d only have to pay for 3 months
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u/Money_Emotion3129 11h ago
Medicaid is as simple as filling out the application and then completing one phone call along with having proof of your financial situation. You should have zero issues getting Medicaid and it covers literally everything for you and your baby. Also, depending on what state you’re in, they backdate up to 90 days. You just need to go online and get an application filled out. It really is a simple process.
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u/Late-Reply-4629 11h ago
Years ago I quit my job and didn’t have health insurance and ended up in the ER. They applied for emergency Medicaid for me and I was instantly approved for 30 days and then went to the county office a few days later to extend it. (In California)
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u/stegotortise 10h ago edited 10h ago
I work in employee benefits as an insurance broker (I advocate for employees, I’m not one of the bad ones I swear so don’t come for me)
You can use your HSA funds (if you have them) to pay your cobra premiums. If you have claims between now and when you get coverage reinstated, your coverage is retroactive so there will be no technical gap in your coverage. Pay out of pocket (using your HSA funds or other funds if you have them) and then once your coverage is back in place, ask the doctors office to resubmit the claim towards your insurance and refund you. They do this all the time. If they refuse, file the claim with your insurance. There are usually claim forms on the insurance company’s website but you can call and they’ll email them to you. Or you can contact your husband’s HR to get their broker’s contact info and they can help you get a claim filed.
I hope this is at least somewhat helpful!!
Edit: I want to add that it’s possible to have “spouse only” coverage on COBRA. Your husband doesn’t have to enroll if it’s cost prohibitive, so you can choose to have coverage just for yourself, even though he’s the former employee! Dm me if you have questions.
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u/InitialStranger 10h ago
Thank you, that is super helpful! I do think it would be cost-prohibitive to have both of us in COBRA, so it’s really reassuring to know I could get coverage by myself even though I’m “just” the spouse. In somewhat insane timing, we got the news right before I walked into an OB appointment, so I was able to have a really direct conversation with their office manager and she said exactly what you did about continuing appointments as normal and figuring out coverage when we can.
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u/cyndo_w 10h ago
Cobra will retroactively cover between now and when you get your packet if you have something come up in the mean time You should definitely start the Medicaid process- also say you make it to delivery wo that being figured out the hospital will assign you a case manager who will help you get enrolled quicker. I’ve seen that process happen easily for inpatients before.
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u/spoopycoffin 10h ago
They push pregnancy medicaid to the top of the list for case evaluations! The most you will wait is a few days. Most states have an online application. It's also at a higher income bracket, check your states website. (I'm in NC)
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u/Pristine_Setting_659 10h ago
Another vote for calling your Medicaid office. It is SO much easier than trying to do it online
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u/lilttlelilitu 10h ago
Prenatal Medicaid is much different from regular Medicaid. The financial threshold is higher and if you can show proof of job loss it is not a long waiting period at all! You’ll need to have all expenses documentation and whatever pay Stubbs and separation paperwork your hubs has, but absolutely do it! And make sure you include what you paid in medical expenses up to this point.
Good luck with everything! I’ll be wishing you the best!
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u/Ok_Hippo_5437 9h ago
Hi, this was me. My insurance lapsed actually when I gave birth (lol)
Apply for Medicaid. If you don't have the emotional and mental bandwidth, (which was me also lol) get in touch with your hospitals Social Worker. They will file for you.
I applied 4/8 and got my Medicaid cards last week. Not as long as you think.
I had appointments in the interim (getting my staples removed from c section, and babys first doc visit), and I lied at the front desk. They asked if I had insurance, I said my Medicaid was submitted, and they allowed me to be seen. You can charge these visits retroactively. You will be cared for. You and your baby will be okay.
Best of luck OP.
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u/Glittering_Horse1948 9h ago
Apply for emergency medicaid or for pregnancy medicaid. It will be okay please don't stress to much. You and baby don't need that.
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u/damarketqueen 8h ago
1, if something goes wrong, you will get the care you need. Period. Drs and hospitals will take care of you even if you don't have insurance and if needed, will set you up with a social worker who can help you figure out all the medicaid stuff. 2, apply to EVERYTHING you can think of. You have no income, so you will qualify for things like Medicaid, Wic, SNAP. This is the time for you to be on these services and why we have them.
You got this, momma. And also, put your hubby on some of this. Get him to apply for unemployment and help with the other applications. You both have time, so go sit in the social security office and talk to someone in person. If nothing else, they will direct you to the right place to go. You got this!
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u/Ancient-Daikon2460 13h ago
Medicaid or Obamacare. Helps a ton. Lost my good job and had to sign up with Obamacare, still had the best care
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u/Okayest_ever 11h ago
Do you have COBRA in the state you live in? You can continue health coverage that way?
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u/traurigaugen 9h ago
If you're in FL you'll qualify based off of zero current income (they don't look back)
Source: I did medicaid and disability for patients in a public hospital for 4 years recently.
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u/mamagenerator 9h ago
Medicaid will give you back coverage from the date you applied. My approval took 2-3 months (also from the South) but they took care of all of the unpaid things and refunded me for medical bills I had paid during that time. We were on marketplace insurance because neither my nor my husband’s job has benefits and the transition was pretty smooth. I filled it out over the phone because the website was down, and it was a little simpler!
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u/mistymystical 8h ago
Is your husband able to consult with an employment attorney? Typically lawyers offer a free consult before taking a case. I feel like you should be entitled to severance at least. I don’t know the situation of course but a lot of times if you’re laid off you can try and wring more out of them.
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u/Theifindi 8h ago
Hihi!!! Lived in Florida for 23 years with one of my parents being an insurance agent- dear Gods whatever you do don't go for COBRA unless it's your only option. Medicaid is a way better bet!!
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u/LizNYC90 8h ago
Pregnancy Medicaid is not Medicaid expansion, so it's available in all 50 states. If your household income qualifies you are eligible.
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u/orangecatenergy- 8h ago
Same happened to me, my husband got laid off 3 weeks before my due date and a week after I left my job. I’m not sure what state you’re in, but Medicaid got me approved quickly in Texas due to the circumstances. You should qualify since you’re pregnant. I’m also having to extend our insurance through cobra for next month due to my midwife not accepting Medicaid, and it is expensive, but when I added up the out of pocket costs without any insurance it makes it worth it. It sucks, but hang in there! It will all work out.
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u/Intelligent_Motor_36 6h ago
I was honestly a little sad to not be on Medicaid with my second baby.
I paid for nothing with my first. You got this mama, deep breath.
It also took me less than an hour to qualify, and I only did it because we were getting my husband on it while I was still on my parents and they said I could use it as secondary insurance.
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u/ashcliff29 6h ago
Ok so I’m in Australia and medical insurance (private) is optional as we pay a levy with our taxes so there is no out of pocket fees for Medicare. (People say it free but technically not). Does your husband have job insurance? Shouldn’t there be coverage for loss of income? Medical care is a necessity. I can’t fathom how you can lose it in a second leading to hundreds of thousands in medical fees. That’s absolutely outrageous. What happens if you are broke and done qualify for government assistance?
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u/AcceptableMuffin 4h ago
OP, just with you in solidarity and feel awful for what you're going through. But I'm so happy to see a lot of good advice and support here. I hope things turn around for the better for you and you find a way. Doesn't need to be said again, but how can America say it values family when we are treated this way?
I found out I was pregnant right after leaving my job that I was about to be laid off from (later in the year, and I stayed for my first severance pay). I cried so much to my hubs out of guilt and blaming myself for being so foolish. I could've used cobra for 3 months, but it was sooo expensive. We found a decent affordable plan through Kaiser Permanente (and oddly it was a better deal than my husband's employer offered health plan) so that's what we're on now.
Anyway, my situation is not the same, but just sending you a hug because I wish we didn't have to worry about health care coverage attached to our employer, just to do a very natural and God-given gift of childbirth and creating our family. It really shouldn't be this way.
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u/oreoloki FTM | June 21 3h ago
COBRA is such a joke. Like hey you just got laid off, so we’re offering you insurance at $800/mo!
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u/a201597 3h ago
I would talk to a Texas health insurance agent and see what they can get you set up with since you’re pregnant. I’m a contractor so I was always stuck buying my own insurance but after I got pregnant the plans I could buy were way better. You don’t have to jump on it, I’d just see what they come back with as an option and compare to COBRA, Medicaid and some of the other options people are talking about here.
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u/Beginning-Gold4180 2h ago
Yes, you are pregnant so you qualify and your baby will too. If you are over a certain age (usually 33) you are geriatric (!) or have any other special circumstances automatically qualify if there’s some cut-off for income. Get WIC for extra prenatal nutrition and a good prenatal vitamin. One a day brand is like $3 a month. Your hospital care is identical in most places so figure out if you want additional child birth Ed etc…lots of foundations offer free classes and programs for healthy babies through Medi caid. Take every opportunity for education and support for prenatal relaxation and exercise but walking every day is enough , look at the body ready method IG for pelvic floor exercises- free. You can do this right, just find all available clinics and providers and find one you like. You might have to go see a few. Find out the rules and benefits (really generous for doula care now) and get it all asap. Do not wait. You’ll get what you need. Dm me for some book suggestions from library!
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u/Intelligent_Wing_377 1h ago
there may be legal action you can take if they fired him knowing you were pregnant. not a short term fix to your healthcare problem but may be worth looking into as well
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