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Pregnant without Health Insurance in the State of Texas!?

My husband works for a company and is currently covered under their health insurance. He wants to add me since I found out I was pregnant. They are saying I can not be added unless there is a qualifying event or until open enrollment in July. Can an insurance company in the State of Texas deny coverage to a pregnant woman?

Public Comments

1. they are not denying it, it is common practice to have to wait for either open enrollment or a qualifying event such as a new birth, being pregnant is not a qualifying event and is now considered a pre existing condition that would make you ineligible, should have signed up when your husband did.
2. Yes...there is NO law ANYWHERE that says that a company MUST cover you. In fact, even if you were to get coverage, the insurance company will not cover your pregnancy because it is considered an "existing condition". Insurance companies will not cover medical expenses for conditions incurred prior to receiving coverage. That is there way of ensuring that you do not only get coverage when you need it. They want to make sure that you are paying that premium even when you don't need it. Sorry about that!
3. while being pregnant is not a qualifying event, pregnancy is not considered a pre existing condition. that is a federal law. they are not denying you coverage.
4. they are not denying you coverage because you are pregnant, they are denying you because you weren't already added and you didn't JUST marry him. You'll have to get State Health insurance which also offers WIC, food stamps, etc.
5. Yes, they can do this. As long as your due date is after July, you should be fine, most of the costs of pregnancy are the delivery.
6. True. Pregnancy isn't a qualifying event. You'll have to wait until July to be added. The insurance company isn't denying coverage to the pregnant woman. This is a law set by the IRS, about when company benefits can be changed. Complain to your congressperson.
7. It doesn't seem like they are denying you but they are just going by their policies! If you need an alternative till you can get it let me know I can help!
8. Health insurance can be very tricky. Since I live in West Virginia I'm not familiar with the Texas regulations, so I recommend you visit a nearby insurance agent. http://www.goodinternetdeals.com/Health-Insurance.html They should be able to assist you.
9. yes, unfortunatley they can, they only way you could get on is if you just got married or something like that.
10. they aren't denying it. listen: you can't just get insurance when you need it (sick / pregnant), and the drop off the plan until the next time you need it ... the system would crumble if that was the case ... why aren't you covered thru your work ? why didn't you enroll on your spouses plan when he enrolled ? wait until open enrollment in July and add yourself then ... or if you are low income check and see if there are government funded plans ... here in calif we have "healthy families" for low income pregnant women. also after you have the baby, you will have 30 days to call and add the new born to the policy - don't assume it's automatic - it's not. and not to be rude ... but honestly; prior to PLANNING to have kids ... you should insurance stuff all figured out.