Approximately 13% of women who become pregnant each year are not insured, which often results in inadequate prenatal care. As a result, pregnant women face what most insurance plans consider having a pre-existing condition. Maternity health insurance is simply a health insurance plan that includes maternity coverage. At this point there are no stand-alone maternity health insurance plans. You can purchase several types of maternity coverage in the form of and indemnity plans or a managed health care plan such as a (HMO, PPO, and POS).

Most maternity health insurance policies cover doctor’s expenses, hospital fees, and prescription drugs.

Most private insurance companies will not insure you if you’re already pregnant. Some states offer Medicaid health insurance, or plans for low income families. To see if your state has a low income maternity health insurance program, visit your state’s department of insurance website.