Baby Parenting Guide

Should I switch myself and the baby to his health insurance?

I am three months pregnant and getting married in May. The baby is due at the end of October. I currently work full time and have my own health insurance, and have registered my upcoming birth with my health insurance as well. If I get married in May, and do not enroll in my husband's health insurance within 30 days, will I still be able to enroll myself and the baby once my maternity leave is over if I don't return to work? Is it better to just enroll myself and the baby right after I get married, instead of waiting until after the birth? Will I be able to enroll even though I was pregnant before I was married? If I do enroll in his insurance, I will be enrolled in a health insurance plan through my company, and through his. Can that be done? It seems like a waste of money. If there are any HR people out there who could help, please respond. I get so confused with all of this stuff!

Public Response to Should I switch myself and the baby to his health insurance?

1. Yes you can enroll even though you are pregnant (but call them to verify). If you are thinking about not going back to work I would switch now. You should be able to cancel your health insurance once the new plan is active. They will just want proof that you are on the new plan.
2. If you are definately not going to go back to work, then you could wait until that time to have yourself and your child added to your husband's policy as losing your insurance is considered a "qualifying event". If there is a chance you may go back to your job, then you will need to add yourself to his insurance within 30 days of your marriage. Have him ask his HR department if your pregnancy is covered. You may have to keep your insurance to cover the pregnancy, but having double insurance isn't a bad thing since his compasny may then pick up some of the out of pocket expenses yours didn't. Either way, have your baby added to his insurance within the 30 day time period.
3. If you lose you group health due to leaving your job, that will allow you to enroll in you spouse's plan, as has been said previously. HIPAA laws should protect you against any pre-existing condition limitations (like pregnancy) with your new group plan, if your gap in coverage is less than 63 days. The only way your coverage would be worse is if the way your husband's plan covers pregnancy is not as robust as your current plan.