There are few insurance options for pregnant women.
The average cost of a hospital delivery is between $9,000 to $17,000, according to CostHelper.com. Some women do not have health insurance and when faced with pregnancy, they must look into pregnancy insurance options or face paying costly doctor and hospital bills on their own.
Health Care Discount Programs
Health care discount programs such as Ameriplan offer discounts on health care and can include benefits for physician, hospital and ancillary services. Because this is a discount program, there are no deductibles, claim forms or annual benefit caps. According to the Ameriplan website, you can expect to get a discount of up to half off on your health care services for a start-up cost plus monthly fee.
Low-Income Programs
Medicaid and WIC are two government-funded insurance programs that benefit low-income women who are pregnant and uninsured.
According to ArcDallas.org, Medicaid is "a jointly funded, Federal-State health insurance program for low-income and needy people. It covers children, the aged, blind, and/or disabled and other people who are eligible to receive federally assisted income maintenance payments."
WIC, on the other hand, is considered a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children. It is federally funded and is part of the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. The program is available to low-income pregnant or breastfeeding women and their children.
Health Care Self-Management
You can self-manage your health care costs without insurance. Giving birth with a mid-wife or at a birthing center can save a substantial amount compared to a hospital birth. If your pregnancy is uncomplicated and routine, you may think about this option.
Another option to self-manage these costs is to contact your physician’s office or hospital yourself and ask if they are willing to offer a discount, payment plan or fee based on your income because you are uninsured. Many hospitals are willing to work with patients.
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