Free Pregnancy Healthcare Coverage

No matter your income or immigration status, there is help.  You can sign up you for free temporary pregnancy healthcare coverage through a Medicaid program called “Presumptive Eligibility” (PE).  PE gives you short-term coverage while your application for full Medicaid benefits is being considered. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Presumptive Eligibility Pregnancy Care Coverage

Q: How do I know if I qualify for this temporary pregnancy healthcare coverage (PE)?
A: All pregnant women can get this short-term PE coverage while your application for full Medicaid benefits is being processed IF:

• you are a Nebraska resident
• you meet the income guidelines
• you are not already on PE coverage

Q: What pregnancy healthcare services are covered during the temporary PE period?
A: The covered services include:

• routine pregnancy related visits to your healthcare provider
• treatment for pregnancy related conditions in mothers such as hypertension, anemia, infections, depression, and gestational diabetes,
• treatment for pre-existing or other conditions that affect the health of the mother or developing fetus, and
• emergency services at a healthcare provider when the health of the mother or fetus are in danger.  Those services are called “ambulatory prenatal care”.  Ambulatory prenatal care DOES NOT cover hospital stays and services connected to the delivery of your baby. 

For delivery and hospital coverage, you have to apply for full Medicaid benefits.  You don’t automatically get full Medicaid benefits just because you signed up for the temporary PE coverage.

Q: When does the temporary PE coverage begin?
A: It begins the same day that you complete your PE application.

Q: Where do I apply for this PE short-term pregnancy coverage?
A: Sign up for PE coverage at any of these locations:

• Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, 3100 O St.
  Call to make an appointment: (402) 441-8065.  
• Lincoln Family Medicine Center, 4600 Valley Road.
  Call to make an appointment: (402) 483-4571 
• Bluestem Health, 1021 N. 27th St.
  Call to make an appointment: (402) 476-1455 

Q: What if I don’t have a healthcare provider?
A: If you apply for PE through the Health Department, they will help you find one and make an appointment when you come in to apply for PE. Lincoln Family Medicine Center has medical providers at their location. Blue Stem Health can see you for general care. For pregnancy care, they will refer you to a provider.

Q: How do I apply for full Medicaid benefits to cover the rest of my pregnancy, delivery, and other healthcare needs?
A: You can start the application for full Medicaid coverage at the same time you apply for PE coverage at either the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department or Lincoln Family Medicine.  If you qualify for Medicaid, these Lincoln providers accept private insurance and Medicaid. Call first to see what types of private insurance they accept and if they are still accepting Medicaid:

• Bryan Women’s Care, 5055 A Street, Suite 200, 402-483-8630
• CHI Health Clinic Midwifery, 8020 O Street, 402-488-6370
• CHI Health Clinic Women’s Health, 7001 A Street, Suite 200, 402-484-4081
• Lincoln Family Medicine Center, 4600 Valley Road, 402-483-4571
• Lincoln OB-GYN, P.C., 402-483-7641
  Two locations: 9110 Andermatt Drive, Suite 2  or  5100 N. 26th Street
• Women’s Healthcare Center of Williamsburg, 6050 Village Drive, 402-421-8581

Nebraska Medicaid is offered through three different insurance providers (called a managed care organization - MCO).  If you qualify for Medicaid, you will need to choose of one these MCOs.  Coverage varies.  Download a comparison sheet to find the one that works best for you.

 Q: How do I prove my income?
A: You can bring pay stubs, tax returns, or W2s with you.

Q: What happens after I complete the application for full Medicaid coverage?
A: Your application for full Medicaid benefits will be submitted to the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) within the next 1-2 days. You will be contacted by DHHS within the next 2-4 weeks about your application. DHHS may contact you by letter or they may call you to schedule an appointment to review your application. If you do not hear from them in 3-4 weeks, you need to contact them to check on the status of your application. Call DHHS at (402) 323-7455.  It is very important that you respond right away if DHHS has questions about your Medicaid application.  

Remember, getting approved for the PE short term pregnancy healthcare coverage is not the same as being approved for Medicaid. Your PE coverage is only temporary while DHHS determines if you qualify for full Medicaid benefits to cover the costs of your delivery and hospital stay.

Q: What happens if I do not submit a full Medicaid application?
A:  Your PE pregnancy care coverage will end on the last day of the next month.

Q:  What if my income is too high to get full Medicaid healthcare coverage?
A:  There are other income-based programs that you may qualify for. Read about them.