Learning About Getting Postpartum Care Before Health Coverage Ends

Overview

After you give birth, there's so much to do and think about. But it's important to go to your follow-up appointments, especially during the first 6 weeks after you've had the baby.

During your pregnancy, you may have learned that you have health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, or certain heart problems. Some of these health problems can continue to cause symptoms and may get worse.

If you're in a program like Medicaid, now is the time to get the care you need before the coverage runs out. In some states, coverage from programs like Medicaid may end as soon as 2 months after your baby is born. If your doctor or midwife hasn't made follow-up appointments for you, call and get an appointment as soon as you can.

How can you talk with your doctor about affording care?

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  Help you find ways to get medicines for less. For example, some medicine companies offer discounts based on need. And the GoodRx app (also at goodrx.com) can help you find coupons to lower your costs.

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  Prescribe 3 or more months of medicines that you can fill before your insurance runs out.

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  Find out if you can pay a lower fee for your care or pay over time.

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  Tell you about programs that doctors can help you qualify for.

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  Connect you with a health care navigator or social worker who can help you access programs.

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  Let you know how to take care of yourself if you're going to have a period of time without coverage.

How can you get care after your coverage ends?

You may need to find health insurance or see if you can continue with your current coverage. Or you may need to see if you qualify for programs like Medicaid. You may have to start by applying for (or re-enrolling in) coverage through the health insurance marketplace. The marketplace is part of the Affordable Care Act. It's a way for people who don't have health insurance to get coverage.

If you need help, you could ask someone you trust to help with phone calls to find the coverage you need. Do this as soon as you can, before your coverage runs out, so you have it when you need it.

Here are some resources that may help:

Getting health care coverage

• healthcare.gov/get-coverage
• healthcare.gov/what-if-im-pregnant-or-plan-to-get-pregnant/#birthnocoverage
• Marketplace Call Center: 1-800-318-2596
• healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/getting-medicaid-chip

Finding low-cost care near you

• findhelp.org
• healthcare.gov/community-health-centers/