If you are planning on getting pregnant in the future, it is absolutely necessary to have a supplemental maternity insurance plan that covers maternity costs. Most of us don’t have the $15,000+ available on hand to cover every little cost. A financial burden of that sort could greatly dampen the excitement and joy you get from having your own child. Since the expenses are high it really is a good idea to purchase supplemental maternity insurance.

We all know that a regular appointment with the doctor can cost upwards of a hundred dollars each time without insurance and that isn’t including those visits requiring tests. An expectant mother will be expected to have regular ultrasounds, check-ups, blood work, and various other procedures leading up to the birth. In addition to this, there are prenatal vitamins to consider. On top of that is the birth at the hospital at the end which could double if a caesarean section is required. You may think that your current health insurance will cover these costs, but unless you asked for supplemental maternity insurance it likely won’t be there.

If your regular health insurance doesn’t cover pregnancy, and it likely won’t, do not cancel your plan. You will want to either buy an add-on for that plan that covers maternity or a separate policy that deals with it. Sometimes a supplemental maternity insurance policy will wind up costing less than the add-on, but you need to be sure that whichever way you go you get the insurance 3 to 18 months prior to getting pregnant. There is always a waiting period and if you get pregnant before it’s up the insurers consider it a pre-existing condition and they won’t cover you.

Comparison shop online, visit the local insurance offices, and call your existing provider to find out what maternity premiums and packages are available. Again, there will be a waiting period before your maternity will be covered by any of these plans. Generally speaking, the shorter this period, the higher your premiums will be. On average, the waiting period is about a year but can be as few as 3 months and as long as 18 months.

If you do become pregnant prior to the end of the waiting period then you still have some other options. You can look into low-income government provided care for maternity – if you meet the requirements you will get good care for little money. You can also, if you don’t qualify for this, contact your maternity care providers and the hospital you plan on giving birth at and find out if you can negotiate costs with them – you may be surprised at what they can do for you.