A pregnant woman who is uninsured is in a difficult spot. Depending on the individual circumstances, different options may exist.

For college students, help may be available at the campus health center. They can often refer students to local resources designed to assist in this situation. For someone who is not a student, local government offices can provide the same type of service.

Another option may be to find work at a company that offers group health insurance with maternity coverage for employees. Remember, a potential employer can’t reject an employment application simply because the applicant is pregnant. If this is not an option, try obtaining appropriate group health insurance through membership in a local professional organization or chamber of commerce.

For women who live within certain parts of the country, pregnancy may be covered under their state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Administered jointly by state and federal agencies, CHIP is a program designed to meet the needs of working poor families with children who lack health insurance, but are not eligible for welfare. Even if they are not eligible for maternity benefits under CHIP, uninsured pregnant women should keep in mind that their child might be able to receive health insurance benefits under the program even though their pregnancy may not have been covered.

For more information on CHIP, you may find it helpful to conduct an Internet search or consult your local library.