Do I qualify for anything?

I was so excited to finally have found a new gig that I didn’t think about the important details such as INSURANCE.  Yes, I knew I was pregnant, and Yes I knew that insurance was important but I also thought, for a split second, that benefits kick in immediately at all companies…WRONG!

My Aunt asked if I inquired about their benefits policy and I said yes because I did in fact ask and my soon-to-be boss said “30 days”.  I was ok with the company’s 30 day policy because I was only 4 weeks prego at the time and could hold off on my second doctor’s appointment.  But when I made the call to Oxford to confirm I found out two very important things…

1.) Benefits are not active until Dec1 (90 days from my start date)

2.) The plan is Oxford Liberty which meant that I can no longer use my current OB/GYN because they do not accept my Oxford Libery.

If I could replay every emotion that was running thru my body at the time it would be unbelievable! I was sooooooo PISSED, the worst part was I had no one to be mad at. Not that I would have turned down the job but sheeeesh, 90 day and I had to find a new doctor…Something has got to give!!!

I finally calmed down and gathered my thoughts and figured there has to be something out there temporarily. My Aunt suggesting looking into COBRA, a company that supplies temporary insurance after employment but that cost like $500 a months. I was looking for something closer to ummm FREE!

I must have searched the internet until my eyes were ready to fall out. I finally came across a few different programs: Health Plus, Medicaid, and PCAP (prenatal care assistance program). As I was looking deeper into each program I realized that I don't qualify for ANYTHING! Why you ask... income requirements. What I gathered from Medicaid and Health Plus is if you’re not POOR we can't help you because if you’re rich you can afford healthcare. But what about the Middle Class with a temporary situation? Who helps us? I even thought that I could possible qualify for PCAP. I definitely misread the qualifications and the PCAP phone operator lied to me (or mislead)! I was under the impression that ALL pregnant women receive FREE prenatal care NO MATTER WHAT-- not the case.

My prenatal service at the participating hospital I thought was free until I received a $678 bill. It ended up being voided but I still had to pay a $30 co-pay.  I can’t wait to talk about my first hospital visit!

For more info on COBRA: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.HTML

For more info on Health Plus: http://www.healthplus-ny.org/en/8198_ENG_HTML.html

For more info on Medicaid: http://www.cms.gov/MedicaidEligibility/02_AreYouEligible_.asp#TopOfPage

For more info on PCAP: http://www.emedny.org/ProviderManuals/Prenatal/PDFS/Prenatal-Policy_Section.pdf

My advice on gaps between jobs and benefits

• Ask a thousand and one questions until you are sure
• Try and have a back-up plan for insurance gaps

Wrap up question

Is there FREE prenatal services for middle class women?

~BK Mommy2Be

90 Days...Seriously?

During our "Plan" I never thought about what would happen if in the even I find a new job. This was a terrible mistake on my end. As August was ending and pregnancy near I'm realizing that my job is driving me nuts and I have to leave. This was definitely the hardest job hunt ever! I told my boyfriend that if I did not find a new gig by the end of September I was just going to stick it out until the end of the pregnancy. During my job hunt I did not tell anyone I was prego, one it was way to soon and two it was none of their business.

Finally, the last week in September I signed on to my new gig and broke the news to my bosses -- both pregnancy and departure date. Instead of finishing out my two weeks I decided to work one week and take my last vacation week. At the time it seemed like a super idea until my first doctor's appointment came around. It just so happens that the my first appointment was on the last day of my employment which was the biggest headache ever, but I managed to get through it. Not knowing the worst was yet to come!

When I spoke with my soon-to-be new boss one of my main questions were when does my insurance kick in. I'm so sure she said 30 days that I didn't bother to inquire any further at that time. I figured I had my first doctor's visit and wouldn't need another for a while and I could just push my next appointment into the following month. Please keep in mind my start date was the first week in October. While filling out my benefits info something told me to call the company to verify my insurance active date...DEC1!!! I was hysterical sitting at my desk in disbelief thinking what the heck I am going to do for 90 days? 

My advice on New Jobs and Benefits...

DOUBLE CHECK WITH THE HR DEPARTMENT BEFORE START DATE!!!

Wrap up question

Does the date your benefits kick in determine whether you take a job or not?

~BKMommy2Be