You just found out you’re pregnant but you don’t have health insurance. Now what? Health insurance can be expensive, but without it the costs for prenatal care, appointments with an OBGYN and hospital stay can be several thousands of dollars…that you don’t have.
Resources to help pay for your pregnancy
Thankfully, each state has its own a health coverage program that helps pay for some or all medical bills. In order to know if you qualify for SoonerCare (Oklahoma’s Health Care), you need to answer a few questions.
Are you an Oklahoma resident?
If you are pregnant, there are limited benefits available to non-residents. Be sure to mark that you are NOT a resident of Oklahoma, when completing the SoonerCare application.
Are you a US citizen or qualified alien?
A qualified alien is non-citizen whose status on the date of their entry into the U.S. is listed as “Lawfully admitted permanent resident (LPR) under the Immigration and Nationality Act”.
Do you meet the income qualifications?
The income qualifications change every year, and are based on household size and monthly or annual income. To know if you qualify, go online to Oklahoma Health Care Authority’s website and read their guidelines.
The SoonerCare application is completed online, so it’s important to have all your information before you start. Here is what you’ll need:
- Your (and your spouse’s, if married) taxable income
- Social security numbers and birthdates of people in your home
- Current or recent health insurance information (if you have it)
- Identity & citizenship information, or alien registration information
- Income information – including employer name, address, and phone number (for all household members that are employed)
- Amount of money received from other types of income
- Expected date of delivery*
- Current health insurance information (if applicable) for any household member with health insurance
Did you know?
Pregnancy Resource Centers can provide paperwork for an EDD (estimated delivery date) either from a LMP (first date of the last menstrual period) or from a limited OB ultrasound. These services are provided free of charge.
Once you know that you qualify for services and you have gathered all your information together, you are ready to sign up online. If you don’t have a computer or internet at home, stop by your local library – it’s free! You’ll just need to sign up for a library card, which usually only requires a proof of address (utility bill with your name and address on it). Though it might seem inconvenient, using a computer is much easier than trying to do this on your phone!
Next, go online to www.mysoonercare.org. Click on – “Apply for Benefits”. Read the Rights & Responsibilities and click “I agree” at the bottom. Then click the “Start” button to create your account. Answer the questions and if you have any issues or need help in completing the application, you can call the SoonerCare hotline at (800) 987-7767.
If you’re in the northwest Oklahoma area, check out this list of community resources available to you.
** Did you know? If you are eligible for SoonerCare benefits, you are also eligible for WIC, a great program provides food for pregnant women, infants, and children through age five.