Wife is pregnant no insurance

[u/Sam3325]

Hello my wife is pregnant she’s due October 17th She started a new job last year where she has no benefits she makes $72k a year and I make 55k a year. She had insurance from her last job and I have insurance through my job. She was promised benefits but never an exact date so at the meantime I didn’t add her under my insurance thinking after the 90days they would give her the benefit package (big mistake) We’ll 2 month into her job she’s pregnant her job is yet to provide insurance they have said they don’t know when she will get benefits. She works 40-35 hours a week but on paper it says she’s part-time. We do not qualify for Medicare because we make to much just wanted to see is there any way she could get insurance or help? We do make enough but with all our bills and debt we don’t know if the hospital bill will be to much for us. Doctor visits isn’t a problem but knowing thousands of dollars could be billed to us scares us

[u/Arcticsnorkler]

She should send an email request to HR and follow up with a phone call asking specifically when she will get benefits since working and if not eligible then why not eligible.

If not eligible then options are: -buy her own insurance in the open market; -do COBRA insurance with prior employer (may not be financially affordable but still should check); -check with your employer for when the next Open Enrollment will be (some Employers don’t have their insurance year starting Jan 1st); and -pay out-of pocket. Some healthcare locations offer a discount didn’t have insurance and pay with cash.

For the future: you can put the baby on your insurance and possibly your wife since having the baby is a Life Event. Beforehand you do need to sign them up before the baby is born. Remember there are things you need to do have the insurance finalized, such as the baby will need a ss#, so be sure to get all the details from your HR rep or insurance company on how to get them enrolled.

[u/HealthInsurance-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post may have been removed for the following reason(s):

Do not attempt to get clients, refer people to your broker, or send people direct messages with solicitations.

• Rule 1

Do not reach out to a moderator personally, and do not reply to this message as a comment.

You can review the community rules here.

[u/Arcticsnorkler → u/[deleted]]

She may be able to purchase a Short-Term Plan, which will get her to the next open enrollment period. Here’s one that United Healthcare offers: Short-Term Plan

[u/kayleyishere → u/Arcticsnorkler]

This site gives me a warning that short term plans can only go up to 4 months. That wouldn't carry to the next open enrollment

[u/chickenmcdiddle → u/kayleyishere]

Short term plans also notoriously exclude pre-existing conditions. Like pregnancy.