PREGNANT WITHOUT INSURANCE

Many Latino women in Rochester, NY suffer the dilemma of pregnancy without health insurance. According to a report published by the United Health Foundation in 2007, 15.9 percent of all Americans have no medical insurance coverage. According to the federal census bureau, about 60% of Americans receive medical coverage through their employer, 27 percent through some government subsidized program, military or insurance based on low income.  In many cases women left outside of these parameters may be due to unemployment or job change or because they work for small companies that offer no medical insurance options.

But lack of health insurance should not prevent you from getting the medical attention you need and deserve for a healthy pregnancy and your baby’s health.

If you fall into the parameters noted on the table you needn’t worry. You may qualify for the New York State sponsored PCAP program.

·         Pregnant and nursing mothers and their infants under age 1 are eligible.

·         A pregnant woman accounts for a family of two

In my experience, as a private consultant my job does not offer health insurance and because of my income I did not meet eligibility requirements for PCAP. The cost of buying insurance on my own could be upwards of $1800 per month. In addition insurance companies consider pregnancy to be a pre-existing condition for which medical coverage is not given. It was a very disconcerting situation given the importance of prenatal care and regular doctor visits.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, pregnant and without medical coverage, do not be alarmed.  Generally, hospitals, clinics and health centers offer some form of sliding scale payments. As difficult as it may be to believe, most of the staff is very helpful and compassionate in offering assistance to help you get the low cost insurance you need. 

Because I did not qualify for PCAP or Medicaid, Strong Memorial Hospital offered financial assistance that saved me 60% of the cost of lab work, sonograms, doctor visits and I qualified for a separate health insurance to cover my hospital stay. The monthly payments as a self paying patient are very reasonable and are a great alternative for women who do not qualify for Medicaid or PCAP. 

The Birthing Center is another alternative to consider.  The cost is about $5000 to $7000 dollars but it represents a savings of thousands of dollars and some of the expense covers the cost of diapers and formula. 

You don’t have to feel alone in this situation.  Fortunately, there are many organizations and people willing to help.  Don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask for financial help. What’s most important is ensure good health for yourself and that little person growing inside you.

Catholic Family Center

Clinton Ave.

 Anthony Jordan Health Center

82 Holland Ave.

Strong Memorial Hospital

Elmwood Ave.

Highland Hospital

South Ave.

WIC PROGRAM

Tops Plaza

Upper Falls Blvd

Embarazada y Sin Seguro

Evelyn Cassano

Muchas mujeres hispanas en Rochester NY están pasando por el dilema de salir embrazadas sin contar con una cobertura de seguro médico.  Según el reporte publicado por el United Health Foundation en el 2007, un 15.9 por ciento de todos los estadounidenses no cuentan con seguros médicos.  Casi un 60 por ciento, según el departamento del censo, recibe su cobertura por medio de sus empleadores, 27 por ciento recibe cobertura médica por medio de programas gubernamentales, departamentos militares o programas para personas de bajo recurso. En mucho de los casos aquellas mujeres que quedan por fuera de una cobertura suele ser que cambiaron de trabajo o trabajan para empresas pequeñas que no proveen beneficios médicos.  

No permita que la falta de cobertura medica impida que usted visite un médico y empiece un plan para su cuidado prenatal recuerde que este cuidado es esencial para asegurar la salud tanto de la madre como la del bebé. 

Si usted está dentro de los parámetros de esta tabla entonces no se preocupe, usted califica para el programa gubernamental del estado de NY denominado PCAP:

Las mujeres embarazadas y los lactantes menores de un año son elegibles un 200%
La mujer embarazada cuenta como dos
** FPL = Federal Poverty Level / Nivel Federal de Pobreza

En mi experiencia personal soy contratista y mi trabajo no ofrece cobertura de seguro médico y  por mi ingreso no califico para los programas que ofrece el estado de NY. El  costo para seguro privado puede llegar a ser más de los $1800 mensuales. Adicionalmente  las compañías de seguro están consideran el embarazo como una “condición pre-existente” y no ofrecen cobertura para los gastos médicos.