What type of doctor do I go to for confirming pregnancy to get covered by PA’s medical assistance?

Submitted by kyohanson t3_10nwptc in Pennsylvania

Edit: made an appointment with PP! They had an option for a “pregnancy test” appointment online so it was very simple. Thanks for the help!

Hi all, sorry if this is a dumb question and I hope it’s allowed. I live in PA and have no insurance. I need to get confirmation from a doctor in order to apply for the medical assistance for pregnant women. I don’t know if I should go to urgent care or if I’m supposed to choose a family doctor?

I have anxiety about looking ignorant to medical staff because of past experiences as an uninsured person. So if anyone has been in this situation, please let me know the steps you took! Thank you

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OozeAndOz t1_j6beufd wrote

Planned Parenthood if there is one near you. They seem to be slowly vanishing.

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kyohanson OP t1_j6bhyua wrote

We do still have one here!

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lemonstrudel86 t1_j6biqm2 wrote

They’re affordable (potentially free) for testing and can get you in pretty quickly. Def recommend. They’ll also have info on filing for benefits and can sometimes submit the paperwork for you.

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WhiskeyandScars t1_j6bjhs8 wrote

Iirc, Planned Parenthood bills on a sliding scale based on income. You can find your local clinic on their website and find out more information.

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OozeAndOz t1_j6c1300 wrote

That's where I went for my first one I didn't have insurance at the time either. Call and set up an apt. They will have you do a urine test and give you a confirmation form. It's been a decade now so it might have changed. Good luck and congratulations!

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tinymonesters t1_j6dv2kt wrote

You don't need proof. Just apply, and report pregnancy on the application.

We are not allowed to require verification unless the information is "questionable". So, unless you have a history of welfare fraud or other reasons for the CAO to not believe you, you're good.

Source: I'm a welfare office worker.

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Kairenne t1_j6bdyrv wrote

Look up Adagio Health in your county. You can get a free pregnancy test. In our county the are with the WIC clinic where you can get healthy food cards.

The medical program you are looking for is Healthy Beginnings.

Good luck. You will get a medical card.

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PinsAndBeetles t1_j6bmc5e wrote

You can self attest for Medicaid. You only need proof of pregnancy if you’re applying for TANF and have no other children.

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InevitablePersimmon6 t1_j6bm65t wrote

Any. When I worked in the ER we’d have women come in just to get proof they were pregnant so they could apply for MA.

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LegitimateStar7034 t1_j6dpmb3 wrote

Or a clinic. They have one in my town. You pay on a sliding scale based of your income. They are also super kind.

Go to your local assistance office for the paperwork. You can also fill out the application online. Apply for everything , food stamps, MA, cash. You may only get MA but it doesn’t hurt to try. You’ll need paystubs with your application.

Also, apply for WIC. All pregnant women and children under 5 qualify. You get healthy food for you and then baby. Your baby will be covered under MA/Chip after he/she is born depending on your income. You’ll be covered 6 weeks after the birth unless you reapply. You may pay a small amount but MA is good insurance. Covers everything, medical, dental, eye care. Glasses. Therapy. MA also will buy you a breast pump if you nurse.

I had MA as a young mom and I had to get my kids back on it after my husband died and his company canceled the insurance. PA covers everyone under 18 without insurance. I paid $100 a month for both my kids but that was based on income. You could pay less or nothing.

I’m glad to live in state that covers moms and children. I gladly pay taxes for that. MA was a blessing to me as a working parent who couldn’t afford insurance.

Congratulations👣

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kyohanson OP t1_j6gss3x wrote

Thanks! I doubt I’ll qualify for food stamps, but I’ll check it out. I’m 28 and married, we just don’t have insurance because I work part-time and it’s too expensive through my husband’s work which is a small business. But I’ll definitely get WIC

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byndrsn t1_j6bfcct wrote

Is there a clinic, associated with the local hospital? Call them to see. Local agency for women, or as others have mentioned, Planned Parenthood.

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kyohanson OP t1_j6bhr0r wrote

Yeah, Wellspan. I was thinking either way, that will likely be where I get prenatal care because I know medical assistance works with them

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Economy-Cantaloupe42 t1_j6bcdox wrote

A primary care Dr would probably cost less than urgent care, if you have one. But call the urgent care to see if they do pregnancy tests. You can also go to Planned Parenthood. If you don't have a PP nearby maybe there is some other women's clinic?

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Pink_Slyvie t1_j6bxt42 wrote

>Hi all, sorry if this is a dumb question and I hope it’s allowed. I live
in PA and have no insurance. I need to get confirmation from a doctor
in order to apply for the medical assistance for pregnant women. I don’t
know if I should go to urgent care or if I’m supposed to choose a
family doctor?

You can apply for Medicare now (Or is it Medicaid in this case, I can never keep them straight), they will probably need proof of pregnancy, and it is income dependent.

If you don't qualify, it gets much harder. You are outside of the enrollment period, and you would need to qualify for special enrollment, and for some stupid reason, pregnancy is not a reason.

I originally married my wife just to get her healthcare when she was pregnant, I certainly don't recommend doing that just for that, but it worked for us.

In any case, you've got this! Whatever path you take, you will get through it!

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dogmomdrinkstea t1_j6cox88 wrote

Medicaid (which I am also on until April) is income-based, Medicare is for people aged 65+.

ETA - and Medicare if you're on SSDI/SSI.

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Pink_Slyvie t1_j6ed7c3 wrote

>Medicare is for people aged 65+.

Believe its also for those with disabilities and the like.

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dogmomdrinkstea t1_j6f3so7 wrote

If you are approved for SSDI/SSI, yeah. I'm disabled but don't receive SSDI (yet 🤞🏻) so I don't qualify for Medicare. 2/3 of people who apply are denied. It's a poopchute trying.

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kyohanson OP t1_j6gsbc5 wrote

Pregnancy is definitely a reason for special enrollment. That much I do know.

Also I’m already married, my husband’s insurance through work for both of us is nearly 1/3 of his income and therefore not an option

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Pink_Slyvie t1_j6gsld2 wrote

Is it? I looked it up last night and it looked like it wasn't, but I was redditing at 2am.

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susinpgh t1_j6cwhi4 wrote

I am so sorry that you have had bad experiences with health care workers. Please take care of your self.

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