Who Should Baby be Insured Under - Mom or Dad's Insurance

Introduction

Having a baby is a wonderful and exciting experience, but it also comes with a lot of responsibilities. One of the most important things to consider is health insurance for your newborn. As a parent, you are responsible for ensuring that your baby is covered under a health insurance plan. But the question is, does your baby go on mom or dad's insurance? This article will help you understand the different options available and make an informed decision.

Adding a newborn to health insurance

Most insurance plans have a specific timeframe within which you must enroll your newborn. This is usually within 30 days of the baby's birth. Failure to enroll your baby within this timeframe may result in a delay or denial of coverage.

Option 1: Adding the baby to mom's insurance

If you are a working mom and have employer-provided health insurance, you may have the option to add your newborn to your plan. In this case, you will need to inform your employer and the insurance company within the specified timeframe. Your employer may require additional documentation such as a birth certificate or social security number.

Option 2: Adding the baby to dad's insurance

If dad has employer-provided health insurance, he can also add the newborn to his plan. Similar to mom's insurance, dad will need to inform his employer and the insurance company within the specified timeframe and provide the required documentation.

Other options to consider

If neither parent has employer-provided health insurance, there are other options to consider:

• Medicaid: This is a government-funded health insurance program that provides coverage for low-income families.
• Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP): This is a federal-state partnership that provides health insurance coverage to children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.
• Private health insurance: You can purchase a private health insurance plan for your baby if neither parent has employer-provided health insurance or qualifies for Medicaid or CHIP.

Conclusion

Adding your baby to a health insurance plan is an important decision that requires careful consideration. Whether you decide to add your baby to mom's or dad's insurance, or opt for another option, it's important to do so within the specified timeframe. Be sure to review the benefits and costs of each option and choose the one that best fits your family's needs.