Prenatal care is a right, not a privilege. Whether you’re uninsured, underinsured, or undocumented, you may have ways to access perinatal, pregnancy, and postpartum services at a reduced cost.
Prenatal care helps ensure that you and your baby are healthy. Your first prenatal visit usually takes place around 8 weeks of pregnancy.
This appointment is often one of the longest, especially if this is your first appointment with a new healthcare professional. Your clinician will:
- review your medical history
- confirm your pregnancy with a urine test
- perform a physical exam, including a pelvic exam
- take samples for a series of blood tests
As your pregnancy progresses, your healthcare professional will:
- check your blood pressure
- track your weight and measure your “bump”
- test for anemia, gestational diabetes, and other conditions
- monitor fetal growth and development
You’ll also be able to use this time to ask questions and share any concerns you may have.
Some options are completely free, while others use a sliding scale, meaning your price will depend on your ability to pay.
Health departments
Health departments offer various healthcare services and resources, including prenatal and pregnancy care.
These facilities are usually funded through a mix of state and federal aid. Some services may be available at no cost, while others may be priced according to your income.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The National Association of County and City Health Officials created an interactive map that allows you to search for health departments at the city or county level.
You can also find your local health department by calling 800-311-2229 (English) or 800-504-7081 (Spanish).
Community health centers
Community health centers are federally funded healthcare facilities that provide free and lower cost primary and prenatal care. Your cost will be based on your income.
Find a Health Center is a database from the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources, and Services Administration that can help you locate a nearby community health center.
Hill-Burton facilities
The Hill-Burton Act, or The Hospital Survey and Construction Act, is a 1946 law providing federal funding to hospitals and healthcare facilities.
To receive that funding, facilities must provide service without discrimination and free care, including prenatal care, to a “reasonable number” of people each year.
You must meet certain income requirements to qualify. To learn more, contact your local Hill-Burton facility.
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood provides a wide variety of sexual and reproductive health services. Fees are on a sliding scale, so you’ll pay only what you can afford.
Although these offerings can vary depending on your location, most health centers offer pregnancy testing and can connect you with other lower cost facilities in your area.
In addition to prenatal services, many health centers offer care and support for:
- early pregnancy symptoms
- miscarriage
- postpartum
Use Planned Parenthood’s online directory to find a health center near you, or call 800-230-7526.
Teaching facilities
Medical schools often run free or lower cost health clinics that offer prenatal care. These clinics are usually located on the school’s campus or surrounding area.
The clinics are staffed by trained doctors, residents, and medical students. Nurses, midwives, and other healthcare professionals are also onsite.
Nonprofits
Local charities and other nonprofit organizations might be able to help you access prenatal care. Services will vary depending on where you live, but you might be able to receive healthcare, counseling, referrals, and more.
Here are a few examples of nonprofit organizations that offer prenatal services:
- CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health (Memphis, TN and Carbondale, IL)
- Homeless Prenatal Program (San Francisco)
- March of Dimes Mom & Baby Mobile Health Center (Columbus, OH; New York; Phoenix, AZ; Tuscon, AZ; and Washington, D.C.)
You might qualify for free or lower cost insurance. These plans are based on your income, age, and location. Financial assistance programs and discounted services may also be available.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a federal health insurance program for people with limited incomes. The income limits and coverage offered for Medicaid depend on your state but will always include prenatal care services.
Many people who qualify for Medicaid can receive completely free care. To get started, contact your state’s Medicaid office or use the Health Insurance Marketplace to see if you qualify.
There’s no enrollment window for Medicaid, meaning you can apply anytime.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
CHIP is another federal health insurance program. If your income is too high to qualify for Medicaid, you may be able to get CHIP coverage.
In most states, CHIP covers children only. In the following states, CHIP also covers prenatal care:
- Colorado
- Kentucky
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- West Virginia
You can apply for CHIP coverage by contacting your state’s Medicaid office or using the Health Insurance Marketplace. You can enroll at any time throughout the year.
Health Insurance Marketplace
The Health Insurance Marketplace allows you to apply for insurance. If you have a limited income, you’ll receive a tax subsidy to help cover the cost. But you’ll need to apply during an open enrollment period.
Pregnancy isn’t a qualifying life event to apply for coverage outside of yearly open enrollment. Annual enrollment is open from November 1 until January 15.
Childbirth, however, is a qualifying life event to apply outside of open enrollment. You have 60 days after childbirth to apply for Marketplace insurance.
Self-pay and discount plans
You can ask most healthcare facilities about self-pay rates, charity rates, and other forms of financial assistance.
Often, there will be discounts for people without insurance, and many billing departments will work with you to negotiate payment plans.
You may also consider a medical discount plan. This isn’t insurance, but it can help you save money. You’ll pay a low monthly fee and receive discounted prices for prenatal services.
It’s important to note that if a medical discount plan seems too good to be true, it likely is. These plans aren’t regulated like medical insurance, so it’s up to you to confirm the plan’s legitimacy.
A support group in your area might be able to help you find programs that offer free or lower cost prenatal care you might not have found on your own.
You can also find support groups that match your specific situation and circ*mstances. This can help you find safe, supportive care at a lower cost.
If you want to attend in person, you might be able to find a peer support group at a lower cost onmeetup.com. Your healthcare professional may also be able to make recommendations.
If you want to attend virtually, you might consider one of the following:
- Family Equality: This nonprofit hosts free peer support groups for LGBTQIA+ families.
- JustBirth Space: This online community offers a variety of free peer support groups and parenting classes, including two Spanish-speaking groups.
- Melanin Moms: This private Facebook group for expectant parents and birthing parents of Black children has more than 50,000 members and counting.
- Postpartum Support International: This global organization facilitates over 50 weekly groups dedicated to different communities, including 19 Spanish-speaking groups. All groups are free to attend.
- Rainbow Families: This nonprofit offers a rotating selection of peer support groups for LGBTQIA+ families. Annual membership starts at $20 and includes support group access at no additional cost. One-time access to a support group series starts at $20. You can also email support@rainbowfamilies.org to request a fee waiver.
- The Motherhood Center of New York: This organization offers three support groups facilitated by a licensed perinatal therapist. Each session costs $25.
You can also use Psychology Today’s online database to find a local or virtual support group facilitated by a mental health professional.
Click on the “price” dropdown menu and select the “sliding scale” box to limit your search to lower cost groups.
Prenatal care is an important part of a healthy pregnancy. This typically involves monthly appointments for the first 28 weeks, biweekly appointments from 28–36 weeks, and weekly appointments from 36 weeks until childbirth.
Many organizations offer free or lower cost prenatal services to ensure you get the care you need. Although your options will depend on your location, the county health department is usually a good place to start.
Tess Catlett is a sex and relationships editor at Healthline, covering all things sticky, scary, and sweet. Find her unpacking her inherited trauma and crying over Harry Styles on Twitter.
