Free family guide · Early pregnancy · United States

Pregnancy health coverage: Medicaid and Marketplace basics

HealthCare.gov says all Marketplace and Medicaid plans cover pregnancy and childbirth.[1]

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Sources on this page: HealthCare.gov

This page shares what health organizations say. It is not medical advice. It is general information. Talk to your doctor, midwife or pediatrician about your own situation.

In an emergency, call 911.

What plans cover

HealthCare.gov says maternity and newborn care are essential health benefits.[1]

Medicaid and CHIP

  • HealthCare.gov says you can apply for Medicaid and CHIP any time of year.[1]
  • It says eligibility varies by state.[1]
  • It says Medicaid coverage lasts at least 60 days after the birth, and some states extend it to 12 months.[1]
  • It says newborns covered by Medicaid stay eligible for at least a year.[1]

Marketplace plans

HealthCare.gov says pregnancy alone does not open a Special Enrollment Period.[1] It says the birth does, and that you then have 60 days to apply.[1]

Read the official rules

This page repeats the official text only. It is not legal or insurance advice.

Questions families ask

Does Medicaid cover pregnancy?

HealthCare.gov says all Marketplace and Medicaid plans cover pregnancy and childbirth.[1]

Can I apply for Medicaid while I am pregnant?

HealthCare.gov says you can apply for Medicaid and CHIP any time of year, and eligibility varies by state.[1]

Does pregnancy let me sign up for a Marketplace plan?

HealthCare.gov says pregnancy alone does not open a Special Enrollment Period, but the birth does, with 60 days to apply.[1]

How long does Medicaid coverage last after the birth?

HealthCare.gov says at least 60 days, and some states extend it to 12 months.[1]

Free from UpOnly Learning. Written for families of every faith. No outside ads and no affiliate links. Every fact on this page comes from the sources listed below. How we source and review these pages

Updated 2026-10-24: first published.

Sources

All sources were opened and checked on the date shown.

  1. HealthCare.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services). Health Coverage Options for Pregnant or Soon to Be Pregnant Women. Checked October 24, 2026.