| A woman naturally gets excited when she finds out | | | | to see if maternity is covered. This may be costly but |
| that she is pregnant. In many cases, this happiness is | | | | well worth it. Some states have plans for pregnant |
| soon diminished when the financial burden of having a | | | | women like Medi-cal in California. Federally sponsored |
| child is realized. Thirteen percent of American women | | | | programs like Medicaid also exist, but they are mostly |
| who become pregnant have no maternity insurance | | | | for low-income groups. Another option is |
| coverage. They face the risk of inadequate pre-natal | | | | MaternityCard. It is designed to provide help to |
| care and must find their own resources for funding the | | | | pregnant women and is well accepted. This covers a |
| cost. If the pregnancy is complicated, this adds to the | | | | wide spectrum of maternity medical needs and less |
| burden. | | | | expensive than regular insurance. Ideally, maternity |
| Even those with insurance may find to their dismay | | | | coverage begins immediately. There are some women |
| that maternity is not covered. A costly add-on | | | | that naturally get excited when they finds out that they |
| premium may be required. Some insurers do not offer | | | | are pregnant. In many cases, this happiness is soon |
| maternity coverage or consider it a pre-existing health | | | | diminished when the financial burden of having a child is |
| condition. This is illegal by Federal law, and there are | | | | realized. Thirteen percent of American women who |
| several loopholes. There are many group insurance | | | | become pregnant have no maternity insurance |
| plans that do provide maternity coverage as a service | | | | coverage. They face the risk of inadequate pre-natal |
| to members. There may be a waiting period of three | | | | care and must find their own resources for funding the |
| months to one year before the clause becomes | | | | cost. If the pregnancy is complicated, this adds to the |
| effective. What happens if one becomes pregnant | | | | burden. There are some plans that have a 30-day |
| during the waiting period? If you are carrying COBRA | | | | waiting period. Always study the package that is |
| (extended coverage from a previous employer), check | | | | offered before accepting it. |