How to Add a Newborn to Health Insurance

When you're expecting a new baby, health insurance coverage is probably one of the last things on your mind. However, it's one of the most important. With a little bit a know-how and a few calls, you can have your infant covered by your health insurance in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Baby's name, birth date and Social Security number (when it arrives)
• Telephone
• Forms provided by your insurance company

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Instructions

• 1

  Contact your insurance company as soon as you know you're pregnant. Although this will not begin coverage on your infant, it will inform your insurance company that you're pregnant and that an infant will be forthcoming. At this time, the insurance company may explain what to do to ensure coverage.

• 2

  Keep the insurance company informed. If there are any complications during your pregnancy and the doctor suspects a premature birth may occur, tell your insurance provider. Insurance providers are required to cover a newborn for the first 30 to 31 days of life under the parent's policy.

• 3

  After your baby is born, call your insurance company within the first 30 days of his life to add him to your insurance policy. If coverage lapses, a baby can be denied coverage, and you may have medical bills that go uncovered.

• 4

  Fill out any forms your insurance company sends you. If you have any questions, call your insurance company.

• 5

  Make a copy of all of the forms for your records, and send the paperwork back to the insurer for processing via the method---traditional mail, fax or email---the company prefers.

• 6

  Call the insurance company to follow up before your baby is a month old to make sure the new coverage is in place.