Benefits Checkup to Ensure a Healthy Family
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Monitoring the health of both mother and baby is critical during pregnancy. In fact, experts recommend monthly checkups for the first six months and up to one checkup per week for the last three months of your pregnancy. Prenatal checkups are important to ensure a healthy baby. Whether looking into adoption or considering having a baby, parents also need to checkup on their benefits to make sure their health insurance coverage matches their needs. In fact, in a national Plan for Your HealthSM survey, close to a quarter (23 percent) of the women who just had a child or are planning to have children in the immediate future said having a baby would make them consider changing their current health insurance plan.
Let's face it, whether you are a single parent or a couple expecting a baby, there are certain times when parents need to call on the experts. Make sure you have access to the health care professionals who can provide you and your child with the best care. The following list of experts can serve as a guide for your discussion with your health plan provider.
Childbirthing Experts: Does your insurance cover childbirthing classes?
Counselors: Many women suffer from varying degrees of postpartum depression, often called the "baby blues." Does your insurance cover counseling or Employee Assistance Programs?
Different Types of Health Care Professionals: What types of doctors does your insurance cover? Examples might include: family practitioner, obstetrician and midwife.
Adoption Services: Does your insurance cover medical expenses relating to adoption?
Doula Services: Does your insurance cover doula services, which are provided by a woman who can assist you during labor and provides support to you, the infant and the family after childbirth?
Lactation Consultant: Breast feeding isn't always easy. Ask your insurance company if they cover lactation consultants.
These answers may be available in your plan materials, on your health plan's website and through your HR or benefits director. Some health plans allow members to e-mail questions directly to them; this might be something to check out to get answers to your questions.