Statistics tell us that 13% of American women do not have insurance. Most of those that do are underinsured. As if the discriminatory view of insurance companies that women are much bigger liabilities than men does not make their lives harder than they already are, pregnant women who find themselves without insurance have their application constantly rejected. This could happen because their pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition, thus not warranting the insurance company’s coverage. The companies that do accept expecting mothers’ application are only willing to cover future pregnancies and not the current one, which is precisely the reason that the woman is seeking support in the first place. Being pregnant these days can be very expensive. The lowest rate that can be had for a normal hospital birth is about $3000.

A c-section will add at least $2000 to that. Not purchasing a health insurance with pregnancy coverage early on is not a responsible move. However, many women choose to do this because they view the insurance payment money as something that is better spent for immediate needs like gas and electricity bills, food, and other things. While this may be a valid point, the ridiculously high charges that can be acquired from pregnancy should be considered and weighed against that of paying a small fee every month and the benefits it will bring. Those that do have health insurance are advised to study the terms carefully for these might not have pregnancy coverage or if they do, do not cover enough. If this is the case, then the best choice is to get a supplementary pregnancy insurance. Workingwomen should also check out the company health insurance for pregnancy coverage. Companies use group health plans and these usually automatically cover pregnancy expenses. Working expecting moms also need to know their rights.

Sooner or later they will need to go on a maternity leave and it is their employer’s duty to hold her job until she can come back. They are, however, not obligated to continue her pay during her leave so insurance would really be a big help. For low-income employees, seek aid from state-sponsored programs like Medicaid. They offer a lot of benefits and are available most everywhere. Try searching for their website and locate the nearest office. One should remember that there is an income limit for this program. Forgoing useful income just to qualify for it is strongly not recommended. Other programs with various benefits are also available. These are not insurance but are healthcare discount programs. Companies that offer this service have a wide network of healthcare providers that cooperate with them ensuring a member’s easy access to the discounts they provide. One such company is American Health Benefits Inc. They are certified by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and have been in this business for over 15 years without getting many complaints. For an inexpensive monthly fee, one could get discounts from physician care to prescription drugs. The higher plans also include an accident policy up to $5000.