Medicaid & HealthWave

Beneficiary Information

Frequently Asked Questions: Pregnant Women

Q: I think I am pregnant, what should I do?

A: If you do not have a medical card, call the HealthWave Clearinghouse at 1-800-792-4884 to apply for coverage. There is a fact sheet on our website that explains the basic eligibility criteria for a pregnant woman. To read the fact sheet, click here.

If you have a medical card, you will receive medically necessary pregnancy care. You should call your Doctor for an appointment, and call the HealthWave Clearinghouse at 1-800-792-4884 to report your pregnancy. As soon as you have your baby, let the HealthWave Clearinghouse know, so a medical card can be provided for your baby.

Q: If a pregnant woman has health insurance, but it does not cover her pregnancy, is there any assistance she can get for herself and her unborn child?

A: People may have other types of insurance and still be eligible for Medicaid. The other health insurance must be reported on the application for medical assistance. Before Medicaid will pay a medical bill for a beneficiary, all other health coverage must be used. If your current health insurance denies certain types of services, those services may be covered by the Medicaid program.

Q: I am pregnant and have no health insurance. My husband works and I stay home with our children. I am trying to find out if I qualify for Medicaid. What is needed for proof of income to qualify?

A: In order for a pregnant woman to qualify for medical assistance, she has to meet a few general eligibility guidelines, such as US citizenship and Kansas residency. If all the general eligibility requirements are met, the income of the household is used to determine eligibility. If the pregnant woman is a minor, her parents, (if in the home) must also be considered in the family size. For pregnant woman coverage, the woman, her spouse, and the unborn child are considered and their income and needs are used in the eligibility determination. A fact sheet about pregnant women and eligibility can be found by clicking here.

There are additional health coverage programs for the other children who live in the household. The financial guidelines for these programs are also based on the family’s income. A fact sheet about these programs can be found here.

In order to determine if you qualify for pregnant woman coverage or children’s coverage, you will be asked to verify your income. You may provide copies of paycheck stubs, a letter from your employer, or copies of your income tax returns for self-employed persons. You can download a Family Medical application at this location. You may also call the HealthWave Clearinghouse 1-800-792-4884 for additional information.