Jill Overmyer
 
State Sen. Noreen Evans has recently introduced Senate Bill 155, which is aimed at expanding health insurance coverage for pregnant women in California. This legislation, if passed, would require insurance companies to provide maternity coverage as part of individual health insurance plans.
 
How will the bill affect maternity coverage?

Currently, only two types of health insurance plans are legally required to include maternity coverage: health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and group insurance plans. Private individual plans are not required to cover pregnancy-related expenses. In recent years, the percentage of health insurance plans on the individual market offering maternity coverage dropped from 82 percent in 2004 to 19 percent in 2009, according to Evans. Her bill seeks to reverse that downward trend, providing access to vital maternity care to pregnant women in California who are not part of HMOs or group insurance plans.
 
What are the chances the bill will pass?

The bill has received support from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and from Dave Jones, California's insurance commissioner. If both of the state's legislative chambers approve the bill, it would go to Gov. Jerry Brown for approval. This is the second bill in recent years to deal with maternity coverage and California health insurance. Its predecessor, bill AB 1825, was approved by state lawmakers but vetoed by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
 
What to do when you’re pregnant and uninsured

Pregnancy is expensive, particularly for those who are uninsured. Hospital fees for delivery alone average between $6,000 and $8,000, according to the American Pregnancy Association. However, options are available to low-income people to help ease the high medical costs associated with pregnancy.

  • Medicaid is a federally funded medical assistance program for low-income families and individuals. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program.
  • Health care discount plans (which are different from regular insurance) can offer savings on medical services like doctor appointments, hospital visits and lab work. For example, Ameriplan (a discount plan offered by the American Pregnancy Association) claims it can save pregnant women up to 50 percent on physician and hospital services. Pre-existing conditions are covered by Ameriplan; unlike traditional insurance, there are no deductibles or annual limits.
  • Birthing centers can be more cost-effective than hospitals for mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies. The average cost of delivery at a birthing center is half that of a hospital delivery, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Many birthing centers offer flexible payment plans and accept Medicaid.