If you’re pregnant and don’t have health insurance, it can be a stressful time. Prenatal care is essential for your health and the health of your baby, but the bills can add up. The good news is there are several options for coverage and affordable care available to you.
Enrollment periods and qualifying life events
Individuals or families who live in New Jersey can enroll in a health plan during the annual NJ Open Enrollment period. The next Open Enrollment Period (OEP) begins November 1, 2024.
If you missed the 2024 deadline, you may still be able to enroll through the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you experience a qualifying life event. A qualifying life event is a change in circumstance that allows you to enroll in a health plan outside of the annual OEP, including:
- Pregnancy
- Getting married
- Having or adopting a baby
- Losing your coverage
- Turning 26
- Permanently moving into a new service area
NJ Family Care/Medicaid
NJ FamilyCare is New Jersey’s Medicaid program. It provides health care coverage for pregnant and uninsured people who live in New Jersey and are either U.S. citizens or lawfully present immigrants. To qualify for Medicaid pregnancy coverage, the total family income must be at or below 205 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
Pregnant people are covered during pregnancy and for 12 months after delivery or the date the pregnancy ends. Children born to mothers with NJ FamilyCare coverage can also get coverage up to their first birthday.
There is no open enrollment period for Medicaid, so if you are eligible, you can enroll at any time. You can apply for NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid online or by calling 1-800-701-0710 (TTY: 711).
Young adult coverage under parent’s insurance policy
In New Jersey, young adults are eligible to remain on their parent’s group or individual health plan up until the age of 26. After you turn 26, under the “DU31” New Jersey law, you can choose to stay on your parent’s fully insured group health plan until you turn 31 if you meet certain eligibility requirements. This does not apply to individual and family health plans purchased through GetCoveredNJ, New Jersey’s health insurance marketplace. To enroll, your parent should contact their employer.
Children’s Health Insurance Program
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a federal program that provides health insurance to eligible children. In some states, like New Jersey, it also provides coverage for pregnant and uninsured people. You can apply for and enroll in Medicaid or CHIP any time of year. There’s no specific enrollment period for either Medicaid or CHIP. If you qualify, your coverage can start immediately.
To apply for CHIP, call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) or apply through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.
Federally Qualified Health Centers
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are federally funded, nonprofit health care organizations that provide affordable and accessible care to all patients, regardless of ability to pay or insurance status. You can go to an FQHC for care if you are pregnant and uninsured. FQHCs usually charge based on a sliding fee scale, meaning the amount you are charged is based on your income and household size.
Find an FQHC near you.
Charity Care NJ
The New Jersey Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program (Charity Care) is available to eligible patients for inpatient and outpatient services at all acute care hospitals throughout New Jersey. You can find Charity Care NJ applications at all New Jersey acute care hospitals.
Planned Parenthood NJ
Planned Parenthood provides a variety of services, including prenatal services. If you are pregnant and uninsured, you may qualify for lower fees at Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood NJ has several locations throughout the state where you can get prenatal care.
Hill-Burton Facilities in NJ
Hill-Burton facilities are health care facilities that offer free or low-cost health care for patients. If your income is at or below the current Federal Poverty Guidelines, you are eligible to apply for Hill-Burton free or low-cost care. You may apply before or after you receive care — you may even apply after a bill has been sent to a collection agency.
To apply, call the Admissions, Business, or Patient Accounts office at a Hill-Burton facility. Find Hill-Burton Facilities in NJ.
Other resources in NJ for pregnant people without insurance
If you do not qualify for Medicaid, there are several other resources available:
- GetCoveredNJ is New Jersey’s Health Insurance Marketplace. You must be a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant to shop on the Marketplace.
- Medical Emergency Payment Program covers emergency services, including labor and delivery, for New Jersey residents ages 19 and older who do not qualify for NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid.
- NJ Supplemental Prenatal and Contraceptive Program (NJSPCP) covers prenatal and contraceptive (family planning) care in clinics, hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and family planning centers. To participate in this program, you must meet NJ FamilyCare guidelines (except for the U.S. citizenship or immigration requirement).
No matter your circumstances, help is available. Learn more about the AmeriHealth plans available to you.
