Question by angiem_06: What happens when you are laid-off while you are pregnant and lose your medical benefits?
I will be laid-off from my current position before I have my baby. I will have a job to go back to after I return from my leave, but there is no guarantee that they will pay my medical insurance while I’m off with the baby. I need to know what to do in order to have insurance coverage for when I give birth and during my leave.
Best answer:
Answer by bilko_ca
COBRA coverage
its not cheap, but it will cover the time frame.
What do you think? Answer below!
If you are a US-based employee, there is a law called COBRA that may help. Employers must offer you the option to carry over any health coverages that were in existence during your employment post-termination. The difference is that you will pay the full cost of the coverage premiums; when you were employed, your company probably paid a good chunk of the cost.
By law, your HR department is required to provide you info at or shortly after termination on any COBRA-eligible benefits. In most cases, you can retain COBRA for 18 months post-term (sometimes longer); you’ll also be able to add your baby once it is born.
Good luck.
Cobra is an idea, but sister did that but it is expensive paying the $ 400 or so out of pocket each month.
Id hate to say It but you might want to consider, at least temporarily applying for medicaid. But do it as soon as possible because it takes them almost a month to review your application and approve you. I had to get on medicaid while I was pregnant because although I was covered by my fathers insurance, that insurance did not cover my pregnancy or the baby once he was born.
Congrats on the baby and good luck!