Pregnant in the UK getting covered in the US

We have friends that are moving back to the states pregnant. The husband had told us that if he has a job and is insured before moving there that the birth will be covered. Do you guys have any advice on this? Will they be covered or will it be deemed a pre-existing case.

My husband was not insured until he physically started his job here. That said, I would imagine it depends upon the employers plan if they are covered before the job starts. I would not assume many places would do that but who knows? As for pre-existing conditions... again, I suspect it depends upon the employer/insurer. I don't think our insurance company would have considered it pre-exisiting, but DH works for the Smithsonian - which is part of the US govt.

The other thing, though, is that many states offer free health care for pregnant women, children, and mothers. I arrived in the US 4 months before my DH and I had insurance for myself and my 2 young boys through the state of Maryland. I was really very pleased with it, too. I don't know if all states provide this, though.

It depends on the carrier. I was pregnant when my husband began his old policy, and my birth wouldn't have been covered. We researched it all and fought about it, but ended up losing the baby so we stopped fighting with them. When I got pregnant again successfully, that birth was covered.

I think it varies wildly from one insurance company to another, also specific policies can vary so much that it is hard to predict.

the main thing to consider as far as pre-existing coverage goes, is that many insurers require that there be no 'gap' in coverage.  if there is at all a gap between leaving the UK and the start of a new job, they could find that their claims are denied, even though the new job will be providing them coverage.  if his new job provides him with good coverage and there is no gap (not even a day) between leaving the UK and his new coverage kicking in, then pre-existing conditions are typically covered.  however, it all depends on the company, the policy, etc. 

It is almost as important to check and see what is covered exactly even if your friends would be covered: it is, unfortunately, quite possible that there are limits or exclusions even on pregnancy.  My friends, who have what would be termed excellent insurance, still had to pay a few grand out of pocket (about $3500, I think) by the end. (And they had a no-fuss no complication pregnancy and birth.)

Tell them good luck!

Pregnancy is not supposed to be considered a pre-exisisting condition, particularly with group coverage. I would have your husband ask his benefits person if this applies. Individual policies will not cover pregnancy if you are already pregnant.

If you can't get coverage most OBs/hospitals will work out a payment plan for you.

My experience in the US is similar to what is being said above.  First most places, the earliest coverage starts is the day the job starts.  Second, pregnancies are covered at different rates for different policies and it depends on what doctor/ hospital they chose and how it fits into their plan.   On my last two insurance policies (both decent PPO's - Blue Cross/ Blue Shied and Atena) a pregnancy would NOT have been covered if the person was pregnant before the plan started.   They ask on the insurance application form if you could be pregnant. 

States do have insurance for expectant mothers it is a federal program called WIC but the quality and options varies significantly by location.

I suggest your friend speak directly with the person who runs the employer plan and ask very specific and detailed questions.

Actually, WIC is not necessarily medical care, rather it is making sure mom and baby/children are getting adequate nutrition. They may do health care referrals, but they are not the actual health care. That would, as you say, depend upon your location.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/

if the op's friend's husband is transferring back to the US with his current employer, coverage would more likely be 'seamless', even though he could be getting a 'new' job....

Hi, this topic just came up on the Consumerist blog, so you might want to check it out.
The link is http://consumerist.com/5330848/giving-birth-and-covered-by-health-insurance-22000-please

It's just one side of the story, but the comments and info may help your friend.