Health Insurance Top insurance mistakes made when having a baby Written by: Penny Gusner Penny Gusner Penny is an expert on insurance procedures, rates, policies and claims. She has extensive knowledge of all major insurance lines -- auto, homeowners, life and health insurance. She has been answering consumers’ questions as an analyst for more than 15 years and has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including the Washington Post and Kiplinger’s. | Reviewed by: Michelle Megna Michelle Megna Michelle, the former editorial director, insurance, at QuinStreet, is a writer, editor and expert on car insurance and personal finance. Prior to joining QuinStreet, she reported and edited articles on technology, lifestyle, education and government for magazines, websites and major newspapers, including the New York Daily News. | Updated on November 12, 2015 Why you should trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing honest and reliable information so that you can make the best financial decisions for you and your family. All of our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. We maintain strict editorial independence from insurance companies to maintain editorial integrity, so our recommendations are unbiased and are based on a comprehensive list of criteria. Last updated November 12, 2015 1. Using out-of-network doctors when delivering your baby. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) typically pay only a small percentage of bills from out-of-network doctors. 2. Failing to quickly add your newborn to your health insurance policy. Many health insurance plans give you only 30 days to add your newborn. If you miss this window, you’ll have to wait until the next open enrollment period and your baby will go uninsured until then. 3. Failing to understand what your health insurance policy covers. Does your plan cover well-baby care? Immunizations? Know what your policy pays for before you visit the doctor. 4. Confusing eligibility rules for dependents with those for you. If your daughter is on your plan and is pregnant, her maternity costs may be covered but her newborn won’t be. You will not be able to add your daughter’s baby to your health plan. 5. Neglecting to buy life insurance. Your new dependent relies on your income. Life insurance provides replacement of your income if you die, ensuring that your family can continue to pay debts and expenses. The U.S. still has one of the highest maternal death rates among developed countries; as morbid as it is, you should plan ahead to ensure your baby is taken care of in worst-case scenarios. Penny GusnerContributor . .Penny is an expert on insurance procedures, rates, policies and claims. She has extensive knowledge of all major insurance lines -- auto, homeowners, life and health insurance. She has been answering consumers’ questions as an analyst for more than 15 years and has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including the Washington Post and Kiplinger’s. Related Articles Common COBRA problems and what to do about them By Huma Naeem Emergency room care: Know your rights By Shivani Gite When to reject the health insurance plan at work By Erik Martin How to buy individual health insurance By Nupur Gambhir How to get your health insurer to pay for your weight-loss or bariatric surgery By Susan Manning A complete guide to short-term health insurance By Shivani Gite Get instant quotes now ! Please enter valid zip Get quote