Comment Re:IMPORTANT (Score 1) 462
I am also an independent contractor and have an individual PPO for me and my wife, who is currently pregnant, under Anthem BCBS. Unfortunately, this policy does not cover pregnancy (pre-natal care or delivery) unless there are complications. From what I know, most individual health insurance plans have similar restrictions, so you are probably better off getting the COBRA extension with your wife's current group plan and trying to find another in-network hospital.
Another possiblility for you, if you're determined to change plans, is to find another group health plan (e.g. through a professional association or something similar). Group health plans are constrained by HIPAA federal law, which requires them to cover your wife's pregnancy *as long as she was previously covered by a group health plan*. This is important, as many group health plans can consider pregnancy as a pre-existing condition otherwise. But since this applies to you, it might also be worth looking into.
Hope this helps, congratulations and good luck!
Another possiblility for you, if you're determined to change plans, is to find another group health plan (e.g. through a professional association or something similar). Group health plans are constrained by HIPAA federal law, which requires them to cover your wife's pregnancy *as long as she was previously covered by a group health plan*. This is important, as many group health plans can consider pregnancy as a pre-existing condition otherwise. But since this applies to you, it might also be worth looking into.
Hope this helps, congratulations and good luck!
