Pregnancy brings with it all sorts of worries, first and foremost about the health of your baby and your own health. If you’re also struggling to figure out how you’re going to afford the pregnancy and childbirth, it can add additional pressure and anxiety. But prenatal care and education are critical components of bringing a pregnancy to full-term. Pillars Community Health is committed to helping you figure out the financial component so you can stay focused on your new baby.
If you are pregnant (or think you might be pregnant) and do not have insurance, you can still receive care. Pillars Community Health provides its medical services to patients regardless of insurance status. Our Benefits and Enrollment team can help you figure out what options are available to you, and help you enroll in coverage if you need it. If you have insurance and lose it down the road, we will step in to provide care and help you find new benefits.
Step #1: Visit our Health Center for a pregnancy test. Our Health Center at 110 Calendar Avenue in La Grange offers free pregnancy tests on a walk-in basis – you don’t need an appointment. Even if you already know you are pregnant, our nurses will still give you a test. They need this confirmation if you are uninsured so that Benefits and Enrollment can help you enroll in coverage.
Note: If you are under the age of 18 and think you may be pregnant, you can come in for a free test with or without a parent or guardian present.
Step #2: When you arrive for the pregnancy test, we will give you a form to fill out. This form will ask you questions about your medical history, if you are taking any medications, and if you have insurance. If you do not have insurance and your pregnancy test is positive, our nurses will go over your options with you and will refer you to our Benefits and Enrollment team. Our nurses will then give your information to our Benefits and Enrollment team, who will reach out to you to discuss your options before your first appointment.
Step #3: We’ll help you enroll in coverage. Depending on your income level and your level of employment status, you may be eligible to receive Medicaid benefits. Our staff can help you submit your application and keep you notified of its progress. Standard Medicaid applications can take anywhere from 30-60 days to be reviewed and accepted, but if you are pregnant and do not have insurance, our staff can assist you with applying for emergency Medicaid coverage, which usually takes about a week to go into effect. This emergency coverage lasts for up to two months, before your standard Medicaid coverage is applied. This will ensure that you can receive prenatal care while your Medicaid application is being processed. Note: You can receive Medicaid coverage regardless of your immigration status. The Medicaid office does not report your status or withhold eligibility based on those factors.
If you do not want to apply for Medicaid, our staff will go over other options that may be available to you, such as enrolling in the Affordable Care marketplace (commonly known as “Obamacare”), or enrolling in benefits through your employer if they’re available.
The team can also talk to you about coverage for your baby. We hope you’ll bring your baby home to us and make Pillars Community Health your ongoing medical home for both you and your baby! As your medical home, we can address your prenatal, postnatal, pediatric, and women’s health needs. We also offer dental care, mental health services, domestic violence services, and more. For more information, call us today at 708-PILLARS (708-745-5277) or click here.