All ACA-compliant individual major medical plans are required to include maternity benefits.
The birth of the baby is always a qualifying event, even though pregnancy is not in most states.
Local Health Department
Your first stop should be your local Health Department.
pixelfit / Getty Images
Many Public Health Departments provide maternity care.
Community Health Center
Community Health Centersprovide affordable care to people with limited access to health care.
Since not all communities have one,check to seeif there is a Community Health Center near you.
(More people in a household raises the income range for Medicaid eligibility.)
Check theincome level chartthat corresponds to various percentages of the poverty level, depending on family size.
Like Medicaid, CHIP allows enrollment all year long.
Youll need to meet low-income requirements, but you dont have to be a U.S. citizen.
Charity Care Organizations
Organizations likeCatholic CharitiesandLutheran Servicesoffer programs to help people with pregnancy care.
Services vary by location.
Basic services include counseling and referrals.
At the very least, theyll educate you on what other resources are available in your local area.
Dependents must be offered coverage that includes preventive care benefits, including prenatal care.
However, health plans are not required to cover labor and delivery costs for dependents.
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthoodisnt just for family planning and checkups.
Some, but not all, Planned Parenthood locations provide prenatal services.
And some Planned Parenthood locations base their charges on your income.
If you dont ask about the charity rate, they might not volunteer it.
These companies provide pre-negotiated discounts to their members for a monthly fee.
Summary
Pregnancy is covered by virtually all types of health coverage in the United States.
But with the exception of Medicaid/CHIP, most types of coverage have limited enrollment windows.
healthinsurance.org.Do all health insurance plans cover maternity care?
National Health Law Program.Well-women visits and prenatal care under the ACAs womens health amendment.
healthinsurance.org.Exceptional circumstances for special enrollment: Does pregnancy trigger a special enrollment period?
KFF.Medicaid postpartum coverage extension tracker.
National Health Law Program.Q&A on pregnant womens coverage under Medicaid and the ACA.
Medicaid.gov.Medicaid, children’s health insurance program, & basic health program eligibility levels.
KFF.Medicaid/CHIP coverage of lawfully-residing immigrant children and pregnant women.
Health Resources and Services Administration.Hill-Burton facilities obligated to provide free or reduced-cost health care.
National Women’s Law Center.Covered through a parents plan?
Your prenatal services are covered.
