If it's a problem, I'm considering getting healthcare insurance outside of the university, but I have to sign up BEFORE I get pregnant. I'd appreciate any information you could give me. I understand students who are young families are a minority here, but I wonder if there's a support group on campus that we might want to join.

Dear Reader,

It's great that you're thinking ahead to your pregnancy and preparing yourself and your husband both financially and emotionally. You're right: many college students are not eager, ready, or able to start families at this point in their lives. You are married, seem to be more settled, and you and your husband are clear on what you want. There are lots of graduate students who come to Columbia with newborns and babies — you'll probably meet many while doing errands with strollers, walking, or playing in the park.

While Primary Care Medical Services does not provide prenatal care on campus, the providers here can help you get to the care that you need. You can begin the process with an annual check-up where you can discuss pre-pregnancy planning and/or confirm a pregnancy. To make an appointment at Primary Care Medical Services, login to Open Communicator or call x4-2284. By visiting Primary Care you can be referred to several resources in the community, including clinics and private obstetricians.

The Columbia student insurance plan does cover prenatal and maternity care. Note that the student insurance plan does not require referrals for prenatal or maternity care, meaning you can go directly to a private obstetrician without first visiting Primary Care on campus (however keep in mind that referrals are required for many other off-campus medical services). If you choose to go directly to an obstetrician, your best bet is to look for one in the Aetna provider network (if your obstetrician is outside the Aetna network, your out-of-pocket costs, such as co-pays and co-insurance, may increase).

Columbia student insurance benefits for prenatal care include physician's visits, lab services, prescriptions (except prenatal vitamins), and emergency care among other services. Newborns are also covered for sickness, accidents, and congenital defects for the first 31 days after birth, and can be enrolled as dependents on your insurance plan any time during this period. Check out the detailed Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan brochure to learn more about specific prenatal care and dependent benefits. This may help you make your decision concerning whether or not you need supplemental insurance. You can also discuss your insurance concerns anytime with a representative from the Columbia insurance office.

Many people in your situation also like to use this time to do pre-pregnancy planning. Some people call this "the 12 month pregnancy," since women and men can spend the first three months learning about and changing behaviors to increase the chances for having a healthy pregnancy and baby. You can call the March of Dimes at in NYC at 212.353.8353, or their national office at 914.428.7100 to get free literature on these topics. St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, across the street from Columbia, has a Parent-Family Education Center, which offers many brief workshops including Lamaze and baby care. You can reach them at 212.523.6222.

Planning a pregnancy can bring up many concerns, related to your own health and to insurance coverage. If you have more questions about the services and coverage Columbia provides, it would be a great idea for you and your husband to make an appointment with a health care provider or an insurance representative here on campus to get all the clarification you are looking for. Wishing you and your family the best through this exciting process!

Alice

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