New Baby or Adopting a Child

Bridgett — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 14:25:24 GMT

Current Revision posted to Ask BCBSTX by Bridgett on 7/22/2025 2:25:24 PM

I don't have insurance, but I’m having a baby/adopting a child. What do I do?

Having a baby or adopting a child is a qualifying life event. That means you can sign up for insurance during a special enrollment period. You have 60 days from the birth or adoption of your child to enroll, so sign up as soon as you can.

If you don’t have health coverage, being pregnant doesn’t qualify for a special enrollment period, but the birth of a child does. During special enrollment, you can enroll in a plan for the first time, or change your Marketplace health plan coverage for you, your baby and other members of your household.

If you don’t enroll during the 60-day special enrollment period, you’ll have to wait for the fall annual open enrollment period.

Health coverage can help with medical check-ups and screenings to keep you and your baby healthy. If you qualify for a special enrollment period due to a life event like losing other coverage or moving, you may be able to enroll in a Marketplace health plan now.

Want more information? Read about these topics:

Sources: Special enrollment opportunities, HealthCare.gov 2024

Tags: Health insurance, Special Enrollment, Affordable Care Act

New Baby or Adopting a Child

Bridgett — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 21:07:59 GMT

Revision 6 posted to Ask BCBSTX by Bridgett on 7/16/2025 9:07:59 PM

I don't have insurance, but I’m having a baby/adopting a child. What do I do?

If you don’t enroll during the 60-day special enrollment period, you’ll have to wait for the fall annual open enrollment period.

Want more information? Read about these topics:

Sources: Special enrollment opportunities, HealthCare.gov; Marketplace coverage after birth or adoption, HealthCare.gov, 2024

Tags: Health insurance, Special Enrollment, Affordable Care Act

New Baby or Adopting a Child

BCBSTX Connect Team — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 21:56:39 GMT

Revision 5 posted to Ask BCBSTX by BCBSTX Connect Team on 7/19/2024 9:56:39 PM

I don't have insurance, but I’m having a baby/adopting a child. What do I do?

If you don’t enroll during the 60-day special enrollment period, you’ll have to wait for the fall annual open enrollment period.

Want more information? Read about these topics:

Sources: Health coverage if you're pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or recently gave birth, HealthCare.gov; Marketplace coverage after birth or adoption, HealthCare.gov, 2024

Originally published 9/24/2014; 2018, 2023, 2024

Tags: Health insurance, Special Enrollment, Affordable Care Act

New Baby or Adopting a Child

Bridgett — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 19:17:05 GMT

Revision 4 posted to Ask BCBSTX by Bridgett on 2/7/2024 7:17:05 PM

What if I want insurance because I’m having a baby or adopting a child?

If you didn’t sign up for a health insurance plan during the last open enrollment period, having a baby qualifies you to sign up now. Find out about this special enrollment period at bcbstx.com. You only have 60 days from the birth or adoption of your child to enroll to get health insurance, so sign up as soon as you can.

Your new health plan will cover your care before and after your child is born. And the coverage is good -- you will not have to pay copays or added costs for a lot of the services during and after pregnancy that ensure a healthy pregnancy:

Anemia screening—this tests your iron level
Folic Acid supplements—folic acid helps with the baby’s development
Gestational diabetes screening—maintaining a good blood sugar level is important during pregnancy
Hepatitis B screening—this is another key test for mother and baby
Rh Incompatibility screening—testing for compatibility will help ensure the baby’s safety
Syphilis screening—sexually transmitted diseases can be dangerous to your baby
Urinary tract or other infection screening—infections can cause problems during your pregnancy and labor
Expanded counseling for pregnant tobacco users—tobacco is a leading cause of low birth weight
Nursing support and counseling—it’s important to be aware of the health benefits of nursing for the baby
Access to breastfeeding supplies and equipment—this makes breastfeeding more affordable

Your new health plan also covers office visits to midwives and doctors. Much of the costs of giving birth and your hospital stay are also covered. If you have any complications during the birth, those will be covered as well.

Tags: Health insurance, Special Enrollment, Affordable Care Act

New Baby or Adopting a Child

BCBSTX Connect Team — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 21:38:34 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Ask BCBSTX by BCBSTX Connect Team on 2/17/2023 9:38:34 PM

What if I want insurance because I’m having a baby or adopting a child?

Anemia screening—this tests your iron level
Folic Acid supplements—folic acid helps with the baby’s development
Gestational diabetes screening—maintaining a good blood sugar level is important during pregnancy
Hepatitis B screening—this is another key test for mother and baby
Rh Incompatibility screening—testing for compatibility will help ensure the baby’s safety
Syphilis screening—sexually transmitted diseases can be dangerous to your baby
Urinary tract or other infection screening—infections can cause problems during your pregnancy and labor
Expanded counseling for pregnant tobacco users—tobacco is a leading cause of low birth weight
Nursing support and counseling—it’s important to be aware of the health benefits of nursing for the baby
Access to breastfeeding supplies and equipment—this makes breastfeeding more affordable

Tags: Health insurance, Special Enrollment, Affordable Care Act

New Baby or Adopting a Child

BCBSTX Connect Team — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 17:15:49 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Ask BCBSTX by BCBSTX Connect Team on 9/12/2018 5:15:49 PM

What if I want insurance because I’m having a baby or adopting a child?

Anemia screening—this tests your iron level
Folic Acid supplements—folic acid helps with the baby’s development
Gestational diabetes screening—maintaining a good blood sugar level is important during pregnancy
Hepatitis B screening—this is another key test for mother and baby
Rh Incompatibility screening—testing for compatibility will help ensure the baby’s safety
Syphilis screening—sexually transmitted diseases can be dangerous to your baby
Urinary tract or other infection screening—infections can cause problems during your pregnancy and labor
Expanded counseling for pregnant tobacco users—tobacco is a leading cause of low birth weight
Nursing support and counseling—it’s important to be aware of the health benefits of nursing for the baby
Access to breastfeeding supplies and equipment—this makes breastfeeding more affordable

Tags: Health insurance, Special Enrollment, Affordable Care Act

New Baby or Adopting a Child

BCBSTX Connect Team — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 22:14:32 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Ask BCBSTX by BCBSTX Connect Team on 9/24/2014 10:14:32 PM

What if I want insurance because I’m having a baby or adopting a child?

Anemia screening—this tests your iron level
Folic Acid supplements—folic acid helps with the baby’s development
Gestational diabetes screening—maintaining a good blood sugar level is important during pregnancy
Hepatitis B screening—this is another key test for mother and baby
Rh Incompatibility screening—testing for compatibility will help ensure the baby’s safety
Syphilis screening—sexually transmitted diseases can be dangerous to your baby
Urinary tract or other infection screening—infections can cause problems during your pregnancy and labor
Expanded counseling for pregnant tobacco users—tobacco is a leading cause of low birth weight
Nursing support and counseling—it’s important to be aware of the health benefits of nursing for the baby
Access to breastfeeding supplies and equipment—this makes breastfeeding more affordable

Tags: Health insurance, Special Enrollment, Affordable Care Act