How to Add Your Newborn to Your Health Insurance Plan

An important part of the newborn experience is getting them health insurance. Adding them to your health insurance plan is a crucial step that can be overlooked in the midst of such an exciting time.

When should you add your newborn to your health insurance plan?

One of the most important steps in beginning to prepare your newborn child is planning to acquire the right insurance plan before your baby is born. The birth of a child is a qualifying life event for insurance, allowing for a special enrollment period. If you or your spouse are enrolled in an employer sponsored health insurance plan, you’ll typically have 30 days of time to add your newborn to your plan. However, if you are enrolled on a marketplace plan, you’ll typically have 60 days from the day of your baby’s birth. To add your child to your plan, all you need to do is contact your insurance provider or employers’ HR department, give them the necessary paperwork. This could include your child’s birth certificate, social security number, or enrollment forms.

Financial Changes

Growing a family can be a large financial commitment. One factor contributing to the increased cost of having children is the increase in monthly premiums for your insurance coverage. The premiums are only the beginning of the increased spend. When you have a child, you may also find yourself spending more on deductibles, copays, and coinsurance for the new child. One redeeming quality of health insurance is that typically there is an individual deductible, for the plan holder, and one family deductible for all family members enrolled. This means that usually if your child hits their deductible and out of pocket maximum for the plan year, services for that child as well as any other dependents may be covered at little or no cost.

In-Network vs Out-of-Network Pediatric Care

The difference between an in-network and out-of-network pediatric care provider can play a large role in your experience of having a newborn child. Researching to find one that fits your needs while also being in-network for your insurance carrier is important. You should contact your plan administrator for resources and information regarding your plan specifically.

What happens next?

Adding your newborn to your health insurance plan is only the first step. Once your child is born routine pediatric care becomes essential to supporting their health and development while also ensuring a smooth transition from the hospital into their new homes. Regular checkups allow healthcare providers to monitor your child’s growth and development.

This is why it is so important to research pediatric providers in your area before your child is born and understand how your health insurance plan covers in-network and out-of-network care. Choosing the right health insurance plan and establishing a relationship with a pediatrician that you trust can help you avoid unexpected costs while making sure your child is receiving the care they need from birth. When you plan ahead, you can focus less of the administrative details that come with adding to your family, and more on enjoying this new chapter with your newborn.

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This article is for general informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon or used for any particular purpose. Cross Insurance shall not be held responsible in any way for, and specifically disclaims any liability arising out of or in any way connected to, reliance on or use of any of the information contained in this article. The information contained or referenced in this article is not intended to constitute and should not be considered legal, insurance, accounting or other professional advice, nor shall it serve as a substitute for the recipient obtaining such advice. The views expressed in this article are that of its author and do not necessarily represent the views of Cross Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Cross Insurance”) or Cross Insurance’s management or shareholders.