Question 1

What if I miss the deadline to add my baby?

Accepted Answer

You may have to wait until open enrollment. Contact your plan right away; some allow late changes in certain cases. Medicaid or CHIP may be options too.

Question 2

Is the hospital stay covered before I add the baby?

Accepted Answer

If you add the baby within the deadline, coverage usually goes back to the birth date. Missing it can leave newborn care uncovered.

Question 3

How long do I have to add my newborn to my health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Often 30 days from the birth for job-based plans, sometimes longer, and 60 days for Marketplace plans. Check your plan’s rules.

Question 4

Is my newborn automatically covered by my insurance?

Accepted Answer

Some plans cover a newborn briefly, but you usually must enroll the baby within the deadline to keep coverage.

Question 5

Do I need my baby’s Social Security number to add them to insurance?

Accepted Answer

Usually not right away. Most plans let you add it later.

Question 6

Will Medicaid cover my baby?

Accepted Answer

Babies born to mothers covered by Medicaid are generally covered for their first year. Report the birth to your Medicaid office.

Question 7

What is CHIP?

Accepted Answer

The Children’s Health Insurance Program, which covers kids in families that earn too much for Medicaid but can’t easily afford private coverage.

Question 8

Should I put my baby on my plan or my partner’s?

Accepted Answer

Compare premiums, deductibles and networks for adding a child to each plan, and check which pediatricians are covered.

Common questions: Adding baby to insurance