State Plans
In addition to federal programs, many states offer government programs that provide financial assistance to pregnant women and their babies. Check with your state health department to see what programs are available and to see if you qualify.
AmeriPlan
AmeriPlan is NOT an insurance plan, but instead a health discount plan. For a low price each month, subscribers are given a significant discount when using contracted providers. Because this isn’t an insurance plan, there are no pre-existing conditions and coverage begins almost immediately. You can also get discounts for dental, vision, chiropractic and pharmacy costs as well. AmeriPlan can be used with private insurance, though it is up to the discretion of the individual provider whether to accept both AmeriPlan and your insurance coverage. AmeriPlan cannot, however, be used in conjuction with Medicare or Medicaid.
Discounts
If you don’t qualify for any of those programs and are concerned about your healthcare costs, there are still a few things you can do. Contact your doctor and hospital to see if they can arrange a payment plan or discounted price. Some hospitals even have a sliding scale for cash paying patients. Finally, consider a birthing center instead of a hospital; they tend to be significantly less expensive.
References:
AmeriPlan. Retrieved from http://www.ameriplan.com/index.asp.
Health insurance for pregnant women. (2011, March). Retrieved from http://www.americanpregnancy.org/planningandpreparing/affordablehealthcare.html