Expecting Moms: Insurance Prep for Pregnancy

LOS ANGELES - Aug. 15, 2024 - PRLog -- Pregnancy Checklist for First-Time Moms

Preparing for pregnancy involves many considerations, and ensuring that your insurance coverage is adequate is crucial. This checklist covers what you should review and manage before, during, and after pregnancy.

Prenatal vitamins checklist

Always consult with your doctor before starting any prenatal vitamin regimen. The following are common guidelines, unless you have contraindications.

Check if your plan covers prescription prenatal vitamins and medications. You may need a prescription from your doctor to receive coverage.

• Folic acid: 400 micrograms (mcg)
• Vitamin D: 600 international units (IU)
• Calcium: 1,000 milligrams (mg)
• Vitamin C: 80 mg
• Thiamine: 1.4 mg
• Riboflavin: 1.4 mg
• Niacin: 18 mg
• Vitamin B12: 2.6 mcg
• Vitamin B6: 1.9 mg
• Vitamin E: 15 mg
• Zinc: 11 mg
• Iron: 27 mg
• Vitamin A: 770 mcg

Your doctor's recommendations are more accurate than the averages listed here[1].

Insurance for Pregnancy

It's always heartening to know that your child won't go without any health insurance, because you can buy health coverage for that child outside of the usual fall Open Enrollment period. However, unlike childbirth, pregnancy is not considered a qualifying event, so you'll have to wait until November, when open enrollment begins each year, if you don't buy health insurance ahead of time.

Not only is a hospital birth expensive, it's a hassle not having health coverage because prenatal care is so important and pricey.

In fact, on top of a standard health insurance policy, having supplemental insurance products will help with out-of-pocket expenses.

If you're planning the birth of a child after open enrollment ends in December, you must buy health insurance ahead of the birth, during Open Enrollment – or else, save up tens of thousands to pay for all of the associated costs out-of-pocket. Think anywhere between $30,000 to $50,000 for childbirth costs in a hospital stay with no insurance.[3]

What a Pregnancy Health Insurance Plan Should Cover

• Prenatal Care:
  • For prenatal visits, ultrasounds, and routine tests.
  • Coverage for high-risk pregnancy care, if applicable or possible.
• Maternity Coverage:
  • For labor, delivery, and postpartum care.
  • Check for restrictions on where you can give birth (hospital, birthing center, home birth).
• Obstetrician or Midwife Coverage:
  • See if your obstetrician, midwife, or other birthing team is in-network.
• Postpartum Care
• Make sure that postpartum check-ups are covered, in case you have an emotional setback after birth.
• For the full article, visit https://smartfinancial.com/pregnancy-insurance-checklist