Insurance Consumer Advocate Honors Prenatal Infection Prevention Month

Department of Financial Services, Consumer eViews Volume 7 Number 7

February 12, 2010

Sean M. Shaw, Esq., Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate

In recognition of February as Prenatal Infection Prevention Month, the Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate would like to provide consumers with an overview of prenatal infection prevention and maternity benefits.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), group B strep, or GBS, is on of the most common life threatening infections and one of the leading causes of blood infection in newborns. This bacterial infection can occur in babies during the first week after delivery. It can lead to respiratory distress, pneumonia, shock, apnea and meningitis in babies.

GBS is very common and is present in up to 40 percent of all pregnant women. Many women do not know they have the bacterial infection because it can be asymptomatic. The best means of combating GBS is through proactive prenatal care. Pregnant women should have urine culture tests in the first and third trimesters testing for GBS and other bacteria. If symptoms of an infection do manifest, see your physician immediately.

For more information in preventing infections during and after pregnancy, visit the CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/pregnancy_gateway/infections.html.

Effective treatments are available if infected and a healthy baby can be delivered. Care should be taken for the first three months of a newborns life since they are still susceptible. Fevers and trouble breathing should be treated by a physician immediately.

Though prenatal screenings and immunizations are covered by most health insurance providers, there are some important issues consumers should consider before receiving preventative care:

• Most policies cover the insured; changes in coverage may be required to cover newborns.
• Some individual and small group plans do not have maternity benefits, or they must be added at extra cost.
• While some health insurance providers cover the tests and vaccines, levels of coverage may vary. Consumers  should contact their health insurance provider to find what is covered under their plan.
• Consumers should review their policy and inquire about potential differences in price based on the test location.
• Consumers should contact their insurer to confirm the extent of coverage based on the existing policy.

GBSGBS is preventable with proper care and testing, and can be treated if discovered. Be proactive and protect yourself and your newborn baby.

Under Florida Statutes, all health plans including HMOs issued or delivered in Florida, must provide for child health supervision services delivered or supervised by a physician. Coverage must include periodic visits which shall include a history, a physical examination, a developmental assessment and anticipatory guidance, and appropriate immunizations and lab tests. Such services and periodic visits shall be provided in accordance with prevailing medical standards consistent with the Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care of the American Academy of Pediatrics. You can access their website at http://www.aap.org/.

If you have any questions regarding your health insurance coverage you should contact the Division of Consumer Services within the Department of Financial Services on-line at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Consumers/ or by phone at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236), toll-free in Florida, and (850) 413-3089 from out of state.

The Insurance Consumer Advocate is appointed by Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and is committed to finding solutions to insurance issues facing Floridians, calling attention to questionable insurance practices, promoting a viable insurance market responsive to the needs of Florida’s diverse population and assuring that rates are fair and justified.