I’m Pregnant! Can I Get Insurance?

Posted on Wednesday, July 8th, 2015 at 7:21 am

Expecting a child is an exciting time, but it also requires you to start realistically looking at your finances. Having a baby inside the Unites States can be very costly and the fees start even before childbirth, and continue through to delivery and after care. Delivering a child inside the US, for example, can cost anywhere from $3,000- $11,000 on average – and that is not taking into consideration complications. If you’re visiting or studying inside the United States and find out you’re pregnant, check your health insurance plan to confirm if it covers the maternity care you need.

Check the Student Secure plan that offers maternity coverage

If your current health insurance plan does not cover maternity related expenses, or you have no current coverage in place your options will be severely limited. The option of purchasing a plan that includes maternity coverage while pregnant will not be available in most cases. However, it will depend on your situation, location and insurance plan in question.

What options do you have? Let’s take a look!

Health Insurance Options:

As a general rule of thumb, nearly all insurance plans that offer some form of maternity coverage require that you are not pregnant when your plan starts. If you are, then either they will not cover you or they will simply exclude coverage for all maternity-related expenses. However, there are a few options that remain:

If you will be inside the United States for a short period of time while pregnant, there are some travel medical insurance plans that will provide coverage for complications due to pregnancy. While this is not full maternity coverage, it will cover you in the event that your pregnancy causes a medical emergency. Keep in mind that plans with this benefit will often have a timeframe in which this benefit can be used so make sure to review your policy details.

ACA compliant insurance plans do not exclude pre-existing conditions (and pregnancies fall in this category). This means that if you’re already pregnant and you’re eligible, you’ll be able to receive maternity coverage with an ACA compliant plan. Keep in mind that your status as an international visitor along with the requirements of each state will vary. You will need to check the Health Insurance Marketplace during open enrollment (November 1- January 31) or see if you qualify for a special enrollment period.

If you’re not able to obtain an insurance plan that covers your maternity expenses, here are a few options that can help ease the pain of high maternity bills.

Birthing centers are equipped to handle low-risk births, and have the capability to transfer mothers to a hospital in the event of complications. Birthing centers typically focus on natural births, without the use of doctors or epidurals. The cost of delivery at birth centers is typically between $3,000-$4,000.

If you’re set on seeking care at a hospital, it might still be an option- just keep in mind that your medical costs will add up quickly. If you have a cesarean or run into any complications it could quickly add up to almost $45,000. The good news is that many hospitals will allow you to set up payment plans and negotiate the cost. Prior to delivery, make sure you call local hospitals and doctors to compare prices and confirm if they’re able to arrange affordable payment plans.

Although it will bring your international activities to a halt, you should also explore the option of going home. Since the US is the most expensive country for medical care, this can save you money, especially if you have a national healthcare program back home. Consider the options above and contact your international student/scholar advisor to explore nearby options. If you’re unable to find an affordable maternity plan, consider placing your trip on hold, returning home to have your child, and returning to the US in the future.


If you are interested in getting a health plan that includes maternity benefits, we offer two plans that have some coverage for maternity, as long as you are not pregnant before the plan’s effective date.

Student Health Isnruance

1. Student Secure: this plan only covers maternity on the levels: Budget, Select and Elite.

Learn more

2. Student Health Advantage: this plan only covers maternity on the Platinum level:

Student Health Advantage

Category: Student Insurance

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Posted by Bryanna Davis

Bryanna joined International Student Insurance in 2011 after returning to the United States from teaching English in China. Her interest in international education, sparked initially by her own study abroad experience in Wales, led her to the company. Bryanna is originally from Missouri and is a graduate from the University of Central Missouri.

24 thoughts on “I’m Pregnant! Can I Get Insurance?”

Jerry says:
December 6, 2018 at 7:34 am

Hi,
I’m looking for maternity insurance plan. I’m from Japan and have A2 visa.
I will be in Florida next Feb to 2020 Feb. I’m not pregnant yet, Is there any insurance plan for me covering maternity including delivery and pre-post care. is it possible to buy a plan before entering US and is it possible to buy a plan after pregnancy?
Thank you

Yessica Prato says:
February 28, 2019 at 2:18 pm

Hi Jerry,

Thanks for your blog comment. Our Global Medical plan – Platinum level offers maternity coverage as long as you are not currently pregnant. I have sent you some information about it to your email.

Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Jana says:
August 14, 2018 at 6:29 pm

Hi,

I have been under my sister’s insurance and recently have been opted out bc I had moved out of her apartment. I started living with my boyfriend and we’re looking for insurance companies and plans that would help us cover for the rest of the pregnancy. I am already 7 and a half months. Only my boyfriend works, and the insurance he was under didnt cover maternity expenses. What would you suggest we do and what companies should we look into?

Regards,
Jana

Morrison Kwong says:
August 15, 2018 at 3:54 am

Hello Jana,

Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, if you are already pregnant, our plans will not cover your maternity expenses. I would recommend reading this blog post as it gives you some alternatives to be able to afford your maternity expenses while in the US.

Best of luck!

Harry says:
August 6, 2018 at 6:25 pm

Hi,
My wife is in her trimester and we are in U.S on visitor visa.

Please provide some insurance plan we want to deliver our baby in U.S.

Regards,
Harry

Ramez Stephan says:
August 7, 2018 at 6:07 am

Hello Harry,

Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, if your wife is already pregnant, our plans will not cover her maternity expenses including delivery. I would recommend reading this blog post as it gives you some alternatives to be able to afford the maternity expenses while in the US.

Best of luck!

Tejaswini says:
June 19, 2018 at 10:21 am

Hi,
I m in f1 visa right now..and I am pregnant (1 month), which insurance is good for me, and currently, I am in Virginia and I am planning to move to California in September or October. Can you please suggest me good insurance Plan and company will cover both states.

Thanks,

Yessica Prato says:
June 19, 2018 at 10:26 am

Hi Tejaswini,

Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, if you are already pregnant none of our plans will offer maternity coverage. I would recommend reading this blog post as it gives you some alternatives to be able to afford your maternity expenses while in the US. I have also sent you an email with more information about our Atlas Travel plan that will offer maternity coverage for complications of a pregnancy.

Best of luck!

divya singhi says:
June 11, 2018 at 12:31 pm

Hi, Iam under the student smart plan right now and i just found out that Iam pregnant. Can I change my plan right now to secure/budget plan and get maternity coverage?

Sally Mcleod says:
June 11, 2018 at 2:28 pm

Hi Divya,

Thanks for your blog comment! Unfortunately our plans will not be able to offer coverage for maternity, if you are already pregnant before a new plan starts. If you would like further information, please feel free to email your inquiry to info@internationalstudentinsurance.com and we are happy to explain this in more detail.

Neha says:
April 25, 2018 at 7:29 am

hello there,

i just got visa for one of the university and i am planning to travel and report to the university like in august and today only i have tested and i am pregnant by the time i travel i will be like 5 months pregnant will i have any insurance for me to cover all my medical and delivery of baby also

Yessica Prato says:
April 25, 2018 at 8:27 am

Hello Neha,

Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, if you are already pregnant, our plans will not cover your maternity expenses. I would recommend reading this blog post as it gives you some alternatives to be able to afford your maternity expenses while in the US.

Best of luck!

Anamika Chauhan says:
April 4, 2018 at 2:21 pm

Hi,
I am on F2 VISA and planning for a baby this year. I have few questions if I am qualified for Medicaid or not?
1) Our monthly income is $2083.33 and if I conceive a baby, will I get Medicaid coverage?
2) Currently, I have ISO health insurance, will it effect to qualify for Medicaid anyway?

Yessica Prato says:
April 4, 2018 at 2:49 pm

Hello Anamika,

Thanks for your comment. We are International Student Insurance, not ISO. Unfortunately, we wouldn’t be able to advise you on this situation as we are not familiar with their policies. Generally, international students are not eligible for any government funded programs as those are reserved only for US citizens and green card holders (permanent residents).

If you need a plan that could cover pregnancy (as long as you are not currently pregnant), I would recommend our Global Medical Plan – Platinum level. I have sent you more information about this plan to your email.

Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Ibab Ibab says:
March 31, 2018 at 6:29 am

Hi,
I m in f1 visa right now..and I am not pregnant yet but I am planning for that.Which insurance is best for me that cover 100% maternity charge?
Thank you

Yessica Prato says:
April 2, 2018 at 8:45 am

Hi Ibab,

Thanks for your comment. As long as you are not currently pregnant, you are eligible for our Student Secure plan. The Budget, Select, and Elite levels offer coverage for maternity. I have sent you an email with more information about the plan and the coverage.

Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Sohan khan says:
March 5, 2018 at 9:22 pm

Hello
My wife is on F1 visa and doing MS with an assistantship in a public university in USA in another state. Recently (March 3018) she got pregnant and her insurance (purchased from school) covers pregnancy. However, her assistantship will be terminated next May 2018 as well as her insurance too since she will not be enrolled any credit after that time. But she will be on F1 status until December 2018 for her thesis writing.On May she will live with me. I am also doing MS in another State with a graduate assistantship.In this situation, is there any insurance plan that I can buy that will cover maternal expenses of my wife? Or Can I buy insurance from my school for my wife (though she is not in F2, dependent visa)?

Thank you

Yessica Prato says:
March 6, 2018 at 12:56 pm

Hi Sohan,

Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, we do not have a plan for your wife if she is already pregnant. Our Atlas Travel plan will cover complications of pregnancy for the first 26 weeks of her pregnancy. I have followed up with an email with more information about this plan.

If your school offers insurance for dependents, please contact them directly for more information as we cannot advise you on this since we do not manage their plans.

cristy says:
February 6, 2018 at 7:20 pm

Hi,

I am an international student who is currently entering my first-month OPT, I want to ask that do you have an insurance that could cover my maternity expenses? I am not pregnant yet, or I am not sure whether I am pregnant or not, could you tell me whether you have some insurance plans that could help me with this situation?

Thank you!

Yessica Prato says:
February 7, 2018 at 8:41 am

Hi Cristy,

Thanks for your comment. If you are not currently pregnant, I would recommend our Student Secure plan (Budget, Select, and Elite). These levels will offer coverage for maternity as long as you are not pregnant right now. Unfortunately, if you are currently pregnant, none of our plans will cover any maternity expenses. I have sent you an email with more information about the Student Secure plan.

Please let us know if you have any other questions.

ramu says:
September 18, 2017 at 3:47 pm

Hi,

I am on F1 (OPT) and my wife on F2. we are planning to have a baby in usa. we do not have insurance.
what are the best options and insurance cover entire her maternity.
please provide the detail information which covers her maternity.

thanks

Yessica Prato says:
September 18, 2017 at 4:10 pm

Hi Ramu,

Thanks for your blog comment. For you and your wife we would recommend our Global Medical plan – Platinum level which offers coverage for maternity. I have sent you an email with more details about the plan.

Please let us know if you have any more questions.

Andy says:
December 30, 2016 at 12:30 am

Thank you for all the information. My wife is pregnant and we are going to purchase a pre paid hospital plan for the birth in the US. We are looking for additional coverage just in case complications arise. Do you have a plan that covers ” complications ” during labor for a visiting person I think it’s non immigrant visitor visa. Thank you.

Leah Hammond says:
December 30, 2016 at 12:25 pm

Hi Andy,

Thank you for your email.

Unfortunately we do not have a plan that will cover maternity if you are already pregnant. However the Atlas Travel plan will offer limited benefits for complications of pregnancy:

Treatment for complications of pregnancy during the first 26 weeks of pregnancy is covered under this insurance. Complications of Pregnancy is defined as: Illnesses whose diagnoses are distinct from pregnancy, but are adversely affected by pregnancy or caused by pregnancy, and not associated with a normal pregnancy. This includes: ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, hyperemesis gravidarum, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, missed abortion and conditions of comparable severity.

The Atlas Travel plan offers international travel medical insurance coverage anywhere outside of your home country from as little as 5 days up to one year.

Benefits include:
– Inpatient and outpatient services
– Prescription medications
– Emergency medical evacuation/ repatriation
– Extreme sports
– Personal liability

The plan also provides you with the flexibility to choose your maximum coverage limit (from $50,000 to $1,000,000) and deductible (from $0 to $2,500) so you can choose the levels you need.

Please visit our website to apply instantly online and find out more details about the plan:

Please let us know if you have any questions or need further help.

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