WELLINGTON, Fla.-- Christina Nicholson is frustrated, pregnant, and surprised about more than just her pregnancy. With two kids, she thought her Wellington family was complete. She was also surprised to find out her insurance plan doesn't cover maternity benefits.
"I'm just shocked through this whole thing there are so few options. That if you become pregnant right now. And you don't already have maternity coverage... nobody will help you. Like that shocked me," she said.
She says she couldn't add to her current plan or find a new one to purchase.
She makes too much for medicaid. The Christian Healthshare Ministries wouldn't take her because pregnancy is a pre-existing condition.
They're looking to see if she can get on her husband's plan but the cost may be too high, adding $1,000 a month.
"Not even Obamacare, because being pregnant doesn't qualify you to get in outside of open enrollment," she said.
And get this, her due date is the day before re-enrollment.
Rodney Davis the president of the Better Business Bureau Southeast Florida. He says they work with insurance agents and companies who seek accreditation.
"It's unfortunately not a surprise there are always going to be things we don't know. We are expert in the things we are an expert in and we are not an expert in things we don't have to deal with every day."
He says their websiteis a resource for finding someone who can help you.
"About 66% of bankruptcies are attributable to medical issues so it's just really important that people do their due diligence, get the right insurance," Davis said.
His other advice: "Find someone who is accredited who will help you make a smart decision.
"You will want to see what prescriptions might be covered , which ones might not be covered, in vitro fertilization may be covered in some plans and not others."
Christina says this has opened her eyes and she wants to warn others. "Until you actually need to use healthcare and you are paying for healthcare and you still can't get what you need...it's a little frustrating."
The Florida Department of Financial Services has informationto help you find insurance coverage.
