Health Insurance

[TwoCrazy]

Hello!
Does anyone know if pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition?

Can you switch insurance mid-way through pregnancy with no (well not big) problems?

I'd appreciate any input on the subject or lead to me to where I can find the answers to my questions.
Thanks a ton!

[TwoCrazy]

Do insurance co.s as if you are preggo when you sign up for them??? I can't seem to remember that question being asked? Or do they have access to med-records?? hmmm it's all so so confusing!

[QTDestinee]

As far as I know it depends on the insurnace co. If you are changing becuase of work, they do no consider it pre existing. The first time I was pregnant I tried to fine insurance and they said they couldn't take me. All states are different, and it depends on why you are changing,

[TwoCrazy]

Switching insurance due to job switch and most likely state switch. Hmmm so we probably won't know the answer until we know which state and ins. co.? blahg!

[ksk]

If it's your choice to switch than I don't know if you would get immediate coverage. The Kennedy Kasselbaum law(Insurance portability act of 1996) requires that pre-existing conditions be covered but I think a 6 month wait for the pre-existing condition to be covered is legal. I don't know if there are any differences with maternity care. You are allowed to go on COBRA while waiting for your new insurance to kick in. Speak with the HR dept at work.

[charlotte98]

I'm pretty sure that they passed a law that says that pregnancy is not a pre-exisiting condition. My sister looked into it a few years ago when her DH had to get a new job when she was 6 months pregnant. You should be fine, but to be safe you should talk to HR or to the insurance company itself.

Good luck!
Char

[TwoCrazy]

Thanks for the advice. Seeing as we don't have an HR dept (very small office) I will call the insurance company and ask them how this all works.

[shelby]

My husband's company switched when I was about 7 months and everything was covered. The only thing I had to watch was to make sure which company paid what. Sometimes I would get double billed from the doctor because they would send it to the wrong insurance. It was a pain, but it all worked out and we were covered. Like you said, just call the insurance co. and find out their policy. Good luck.

[TwoCrazy]

Thanks Shelby! We won't know what insurance company until the new job happens but I can call my current co. and ask them about policies in general. It helps to know that you went through sometime simliar not that I'm preggo or anything but hope to be! ;)

[sandiegogal]

Usually if you have had continuous coverage before the change, your pg will be covered. I know with my insurance company, if you did not have previous insurance, pg was not covered until you had been their member for 12 months. But for me, since I had previous coverage in another state for all my life continuous before the switch, my pg was covered.

Good luck!

:) Kim

[TwoCrazy]

Thank sandie -that is a positive! I think I've only not had insurance for one month years ago due to job switches and I had the retroactive cobra option. Hopefully that doesn't count. :)