Shopping for health insurance when you’re expecting

Preparing for a new baby can be full of exciting decisions — things like picking out a crib, shopping for baby clothes and decorating a nursery.

While choosing insurance may not be high on that list, it’s an important selection to make. In fact, 38% of women say they’re unsure or unaware of their current health plan’s pregnancy coverage.¹ Taking the time to understand your options may help you feel covered when your bundle of joy arrives.

Even if you’re in the midst of family planning but not expecting yet, there are some considerations to think through for when the time comes. If you do become pregnant after your open enrollment period, it may not be considered a “qualifying life event” where you can change or enroll in coverage so you may want to consider weighing your options now.

Prenatal care, the routine appointments you may receive during pregnancy, can be an important step to ensuring a healthy delivery — and healthy baby. Prenatal care is recommended starting eight weeks after conception and regularly after that until the baby is born. This can help reduce the risks of complications during pregnancy² and may help prepare you mentally and physically for delivery.

If you have a preferred provider or hospital where you’d like to deliver, a good first step is to make sure they are both in-network — this can include anesthesiologists and neonatal intensive care units. Seeing a provider out of network may significantly increase your costs. Once the baby is born, you may want to make sure their pediatrician is in-network, as well. 

Some insurers may offer additional services to help provide support and resources along your pregnancy journey. For example, eligible UnitedHealthcare members may have access to programs to help you understand what to expect in each trimester, plus get tips on nutrition, exercise, breastfeeding and more.

Some eligible members may also have access to doulas before, during and after labor. Doulas provide emotional, physical and educational support throughout your pregnancy journey. They may assist with birth planning, labor coaching and pain management techniques, while also helping you understand potential risk factors and supporting communication with your provider. Having access to a doula may contribute to a more positive experience and healthier outcomes for both mom and baby.

Certain health care plans are working to put the focus back on women’s health, by creating simpler experiences and more choices when it comes to how they receive care.  For example, the Surest® health plan through UnitedHealthcare helps provide upfront pricing with clear cost and coverage details, plus added choice and flexibility to cater to a woman’s often busy schedule.

Surest health plans begin working immediately, without a deductible to chip away at and no coinsurance to worry about paying for weeks later. For women who are in the family planning stage of life, having a Surest health plan may help budget and plan for out-of-pocket costs, long before delivery. In addition, members get one bill for the entire birth experience. Overall, women using Surest saw 47% lower out-of-pocket expenses³ compared to other options.

To help with out-of-pocket expenses, you may want to consider opening or adding to a health savings account (HSA) or a medical flexible savings account (FSA) — or both. Each has its own set of rules and contribution limits, but they allow you to put aside pre-tax dollars to help cover costs related to pregnancy and childcare. Just be aware, FSA funds must be used within a year. Some wellness programs may also help you fund an HSA by completing activity goals or making healthy choices.

Check into additional ways to help maximize your maternity or paternity leave through your employer. Some may have benefits that allow you to purchase additional paid time off (PTO) during open enrollment or other parental leave benefits, like lactation support.   

For UnitedHealthcare members with an eligible medical and short-term disability plan, a new offering called Benefit Assist® for Maternity Leave can help simplify the claims process for your leave. Eligible medical claims are automatically identified, including medical records and expected delivery date, initiating short-term disability payments up to 30 days before your due date. This way, you don’t have to file any paperwork, and can focus on your health and the health of your new baby.

Pregnancy can bring a wide range of emotions, from joy and excitement to stress or even feeling overwhelmed or down. About 1 in 5 women experience pregnancy related mental health conditions.⁴ When comparing health plans, check what mental health services each plan covers, such as in‑person and virtual visits, 24/7 mental health support lines, and digital self-care tools. Some insurers, like UnitedHealthcare, may provide a wide range of mental health offerings, including tools for in-the-moment support, like Calm Health. Many employers offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) with 24/7 support for you and your family.