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Insurance and Placing a Baby for Adoption
Many birth mothers and birth parents are unable to afford health insurance for a variety of reasons. But don’t worry. You can usually get coverage through Medicaid. Since you are unable to place your baby for adoption until the baby is born, you have nine months to research options and find the right insurance plan.
Prenatal care and delivery of the baby is often covered by government issued medical insurance anyway. Federal law under ERISA and its amendments requires this. Once the baby is born, the adoptive parents are responsible for the baby’s health and medical coverage. All you have to do as the birth mother to make this happen is sign the placement papers.
For birth mothers who already have health insurance, ask one of our adoption professionals for assistance with finding in-network connections, and meeting deductibles and copays.
What about Medical and Legal Fees?
Medical and legal fees can add up quickly when you are placing your baby for adoption and creating your adoption plan. But you don’t need to panic. Adoption Choices of Colorado has you covered. Whatever out-of-pocket expenses are not covered through your health insurance will be taken care of via the adoptive parents.
There is absolutely no cost whatsoever for placing a baby for adoption. The costs accrue once you begin prenatal care and the adoption journey. But our agency will make sure that you receive the care that both you and your baby need to have a healthy pregnancy. We will also walk you through your adoption hospital plan, so that it perfectly fits your wishes and requirements for when the baby arrives.
In regards to the legal aspect, you will be able to speak to our in-house legal representatives, who will make sure you understand your rights and everything else before you sign anything. He or she will always keep your best interests at heart every step of the way. This service is free for you.
Pregnant Women Housing? Not a Problem!
When choosing adoption with our Colorado agency, if you are in need of housing during your pregnancy, we will do our best to find you the safest and healthiest environment for you and your growing baby. We want to make sure you are safe and comfortable.
The housing option, if need be, can also act as a temporary “get back on your feet” situation. Expenses including, but not limited to, rent, utilities and phone can be covered for you.
Your available options can vary depending on where you live and state laws. For more specific information, or if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our adoption professionals.
Financial Adoption Assistance for Birth Mothers
Finances can be an overwhelming topic and feel like a burden when you’re providing for yourself. That’s why there are resources — including scholarships and grants — available to help. To help take some of the stress and anxiety away. From pregnancy-related medical and hospital costs to counseling fees, you have options. Below are great resources to keep in mind:
- Colorado 211 – helps you meet both your financial and basic needs. If you need assistance paying your monthly bills or other expenses, there is personal financial counseling available that will help point you in the right direction. They will do a complete assessment of your income, expenses, debts, taxes and any other relevant factors and create a short-term plan. A repayment plan will also be mapped out with you.
- Medicaid – provides health coverage to millions of Americans and is funded jointly by the states and federal government. To learn more about their eligibility requirements, be sure to check out their website.
- Churches – talk to your church or a church local to your area about any assistance they can offer you. They are an excellent resource with connecting you to people who can help, or to programs available in the surrounding community.
Financial Coverage for Basic / Nutritional Needs
Taking care of yourself during pregnancy — especially when you’re considering adoption — is paramount. So, you’ll want to do whatever you can to ensure a healthy pregnancy before adoption. If you’re unable to do this on your own, the following options are available to help. Each of the listed items operate through Colorado Works and the Colorado Department of Health Services.
- SNAP – Also known as the program that offers food stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition benefits for those who are in need. This program permits the purchase of healthy food options and encourages those in the program towards self-sufficiency through building budgeting skills. Those found eligible will receive an EBT card that they can use at most grocery stores. Each month, the allotted amount will upload automatically onto the card.
- TANF – Colorado’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) also helps those in the assistance program to become self-sufficient through strengthening economic and social stability. It provides both food and financial assistance, and offers education on how you can still eat healthfully on a limited budget.
- WIC – not to be mistaken with food stamps, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman, Infants and Children (WIC) provides eligible pregnant and postpartum women with nutritional counseling, food assistance, and healthcare referrals. It is a government-funded program that is available in every state.
Do Birth Mothers “get paid” to place a baby for adoption?
This is a commonly asked question from prospective birth mothers and birth parents. The short answer is no. As a birth parent, you are NOT paid to “give up” or place your baby for adoption, and no adoption agency will ever agree to give you compensation for placing. This can result in accusations of trafficking and have severe legal repercussions.
However, choosing adoption and willingly placing your baby for adoption is free. Also, depending on your situation and needs, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance, housing, and have all other expenses covered for you through the adoptive parents or your health insurance plan.
Do Birth Mothers get Maternity Leave?
Do birth mothers take time off work after placing a baby for adoption? Absolutely! Choosing adoption is an extremely mentally and emotionally taxing process and can be physically exhausting as well. Deciding that you are not the right parent to raise your baby is not easy by any stretch of the imagination.
Birth mothers are permitted to take maternity leave — also referred to as “medical leave” or “disability leave” — through the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). In the state of Colorado, pregnant women can take up to 12 weeks off in a 12-month period. Qualifying women may use their FMLA time for prenatal care, ultrasound and other doctor appointments, birth and delivery or post birth childcare if she doesn’t exceed her 12 weeks of approved leave.
To take full advantage of FMLA benefits, however, your company may require you to meet certain milestones first, so be sure to consult with your employer to see if you are eligible. In most cases, FMLA can only be used if you’ve held your job for at least a year, worked a minimum of 1,250 hours and if your company has more than 50 employees.
Bonus: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)
Another federal protection pregnant women in Colorado have is The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). This law prohibits any employer from singling out an employee due to pregnancy. It requires employers, instead, to provide pregnant employers time off work and to treat them as they would any other temporarily disabled employee. In other words, if your company allows time off for broken legs, stroke or other medical conditions that keeps employees from physically being able to return to work, you, as a pregnant woman and soon-to-be birth mom, should get the same consideration.