Some pregnant woman do not have health insurance. To be able to afford medical care, they may apply for Medicaid, which is a state run program that helps pay for medical care. A woman has to meet income guidelines to qualify for Medicaid.
Federal Poverty Level
The federal poverty level is used to determine a woman's Medicaid eligibility. The federal poverty level is an income of under $22,050 for a family of four annually.
Catergorically Needy
Women under the categorically needy group must have an income under 133 percent of the federal poverty level to qualify for Medicaid during pregnancy.
Share of Cost
For women who do not qualify for Medicaid during pregnancy because of income, they may qualify for share of Medicaid. After a woman pays a certain amount of medical bills, Medicaid will cover the rest. The amount that the woman has to pay is determined by Medicaid.
Medically Needy
If a woman does not qualify for Medicaid under the categorically needy category because of issues such as immigration status, she can qualify for the medically needy category. There are no income guidelines for Medicaid for pregnant women who fall under the medically needy category. To qualify, the women must provide a proof of pregnancy paper that can be obtained by a physician.
Considerations
There may be other resources available to woman not eligible for any form of Medicaid. If is important to check with the woman's local Medicaid office to find out what programs may be available.
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