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Which Health Insurance Covers Pregnancy?

Maternity care services are essential health benefits.

All Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicaid health insurance plans cover pregnancy and childbirth. This is true even if your pregnancy starts before your coverage begins.

Maternity care and newborn care — services offered before and after your child is born — are essential health benefits. This means all qualified health insurance plans inside and outside the Marketplace must cover them.

Health Insurance If You Are Pregnant or Planning to Get Pregnant

If you do not have health coverage

• Pregnancy health plans make it easier to get the medical check-ups and screening tests to help keep both you and your baby healthy during pregnancy.
• If you are eligible for a Special Enrollment Period due to a life event such as moving or losing other coverage, you may be able to enroll in a Marketplace health plan right now. Being pregnant does not make you eligible, but the birth of a child does.
• Create an account now to apply for Marketplace plans through the Open Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period. If you select the choice to get help paying for coverage on your application, you will be asked if you are pregnant. Reporting your pregnancy may assist you and your family members get the cheapest coverage.
• If you are not eligible for a Special Enrollment Period right now, you will be qualified to apply within 60 days of your child’s birth. You can also sign up for the 2021 coverage during the next Open Enrollment Period this fall.
• If eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, your coverage can start at any time.

If You Presently Have Marketplace Coverage

• If you want to keep your current Marketplace coverage, do not report your pregnancy to the Marketplace.
• If you report your pregnancy, you may be found qualified for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). If you are found eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, your information will be sent to the state agency, and you will not be given a choice to keep your Marketplace plan.
• If you keep your Marketplace coverage, ensure you update the application after giving birth to add the baby to the plan or enroll them in coverage through Medicaid or CHIP if they qualify.

If You Are Eligible for Medicaid Or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Medicaid eligibility depends on the size of your household, income and citizenship.

• Medicaid and CHIP provide free or low-cost health coverage to millions of the United States residents, including some low-income people, families and children, and pregnant women.
• Eligibility for these health insurance plans depends on your household size, income, and citizenship or immigration status. Specific rules and benefits differ by state.
• You can enroll for Medicaid or CHIP any time during the year, not just during the annual Open Enrollment Period.
• You can apply two ways: Directly through your state agency, or by filling out a Marketplace application and selecting that you want assistance paying for coverage.
• If found eligible for health insurance during your pregnancy, you will be covered for 60 days after you give birth. After 60 days, you may no longer be eligible. Your state Medicaid or CHIP agency will inform you if your coverage is ending. You can enroll in a Marketplace health insurance policy during this time to avoid a break in coverage.
• If you have Medicaid when you give birth, your baby is automatically enrolled in Medicaid coverage, and they will remain eligible for at least a year.

References and Resources

• Children’s Health Insurance Program
• Eligibility for CHIP and Medicaid Plans