How to Get Newborn Health Insurance in 2024

Newborns begin acquiring health care expenses at birth. Aside from preventive and wellness care, they may need medications or treatment for illnesses. Accidents can also happen and lead to steep bills. Having health insurance for babies can help you save on out-of-pocket expenses.

During the first 30 days, a baby is covered under their mother’s policy and deductible. However, the extension of coverage ends on the 31st day. Fortunately, childbirth triggers a health care special enrollment period. If you want newborn baby health insurance, you need to update your plan within 60 days after childbirth.

There are a few ways babies can be covered. If the mom has an insurance plan, the newborn is covered upon delivery and up to 30 days after. In some cases, plans allow this coverage to extend up to 60 days. If the parents are married and are both insured, the newborn will have dual insurance.

From there, health insurance for babies depends on the family’s situation. There are various ways to get health insurance in the United States. The right option for you will depend on employment status, income and other factors.

If the parents are unmarried, the baby is typically included in their mom’s insurance plan for the first 30 days. The newborn can go on the dad’s policy if paternity has been established. That said, this depends on the type of health insurance plan the father has. There may also be different regulations depending on the state.

For married couples, the baby can have dual insurance if both are insured. Otherwise, the baby can go to the parent who has coverage.

If both parents have health insurance policies, the baby may be eligible for dual insurance. But that still depends on the situation.

Either insurance policy could cover the baby if the parents are unmarried. However, covering them on the father’s insurance may be harder.

The baby could have primary and secondary insurance coverage if the parents are married. The birthday rule may be used to determine which policy is the primary and which is secondary. The coverage is based on which parent’s birthday comes first.

If the child’s parents are divorced, the party responsible for the baby’s health insurance is pre-determined by the court through a Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO).

In some cases, neither parent of a newborn has health insurance coverage. This isn’t an ideal scenario. Childbirth through uncomplicated vaginal delivery can cost $10,000–$15,000. Expenses can be higher for C-section deliveries and those with complications.

If you are expecting and uninsured, you may be able to find low-cost insurance. For instance, you can determine if your income makes you qualified for Medicaid services. The requirements vary per state.

If you’re not eligible for Medicaid, check the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Depending on the state, eligibility requirements and coverages vary. In some states, CHIP also covers the child’s mother.

If you currently don’t work, you can also look for health insurance for the unemployed.

There are various ways to get health insurance for babies. Parents can add them as dependents to their existing health care plans. You may also find a separate policy for your baby.

Below are some plan types that cater to newborn health insurance coverage. Research these options and compare them to find the most suitable plan based on your needs and circumstances.

The best health insurance plan for newborns depends on preferences. For instance, the best coverage, rates and customer service may vary per person. That’s because needs and circumstances also differ.

Health care costs can be steep. Costs naturally increase with every child added. Prices can also vary widely depending on the source of insurance.

On average, a parent can expect a $276 increase in a marketplace plan when they add a baby or child to their policy. The table below shows how costs may change along with the number of children.

Note that these costs are estimations based on national marketplace averages for a 40-year-old couple. Ultimately, health insurance costs vary by state and personal circumstances.

Parents can find lower-cost health insurance options for their newborns through various programs.

Medicaid typically has $0 deductibles and premiums. To qualify, you must meet the income limits set by the state based on poverty guidelines.

CHIP caters to children whose parents have low incomes, but it has higher income limits than Medicaid. Qualifications may vary by state.

Based on national averages, Medicaid and CHIP income percentages are 195% and 217%, respectively.

Depending on your financial situation, you may also be eligible for premium tax credits. This is capped at 400% of the federal poverty level. The requirement has been suspended for 2022.

There are different ways to get a baby covered. One good option is based on the parent’s employment and income. Preparing early can give you time to compare your options and find the right plan for your baby.

Understanding how newborn health insurance works can help you find the right plan for your baby. To help you get started, here are some frequently asked questions parents have about health insurance.