By Magaly Olivero, December 11, 2014
Women, particularly pregnant women, have more health insurance options than ever before thanks to health care reform, with many gaining access to affordable coverage for the first time.
“The fact that the Affordable Care Act requires qualified health plans to cover maternity care and offers financial assistance to reduce out-of-pocket costs is a game changer for many women,” says Lauren Birchfield Kennedy, director of health policy at the National Partnership for Women and Families, a nonprofit in the District of Columbia. “It’s probably the greatest advance in women’s health in a generation.”
Karen Davenport, director of health policy at the National Women’s Law Center, says the federal law has given “women lots more flexibility in terms of their work lives and health insurance decisions because they know they can purchase coverage on their own and have all [maternity-related] services covered.”
Here’s a look at coverage options for pregnant women and those who may be considering pregnancy.