Yes. Most pregnant teens who are low income are eligible for Medical Assistance (MA). MA is general medical insurance which covers any services that are medically necessary for the recipient. If you are pregnant, you will receive prenatal care through your MA coverage. If the pregnant teen is in substitute care (foster care), she will most likely be receiving MA. If the pregnant teen is not in care, she should apply for MA at the local county assistance office.
Healthy Beginnings is the specialized program, through MA, that provides prenatal, postpartum, parenting services and medical care. A case worker may authorize retroactive Healthy Beginnings benefits if the woman has incurred unpaid medical expenses in the three months before the application. Healthy Beginning’s coverage continues for the mother and her newborn through the postpartum period regardless of income.
Most newborns and children up until age 6 are eligible for health care coverage through the Healthy Beginnings programs through their Medical Assistance coverage. After age six, your child will likely be eligible for Medical Assistance or coverage through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Make sure you apply at your local county assistance office. You can also apply online at https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/compass.
Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth helps families apply for free or low cost health insurance, and get health care for children with special needs. Call 215-563- – . You can also call (215) 685-6790 to find a local Health Care Center.
This is a program for first time moms. A nurse will visit you while you are pregnant and until your child is two years old.
The nurse will help you and your baby stay healthy and will help you with parenting skills and with finding community resources for you and your child. Call 215-707-7875 to find out the Nurse-Family Partnership Program in your area.
This is a program run by the Maternal Care Coalition for pregnant women and moms and their babies. The program provides support to parents by teaching skills like parenting, how to keep your child safe and healthy, breastfeeding, and family planning. They can also help you find baby supplies, diapers, and cribs and provide referrals for other services you might need. MOMobile advocates can also help you apply for any public benefits you may be eligible for. To find out if there is a MOMobile program near you, call the Maternal Care Coalition at 215-972-0700.
WIC is a program that provides supplemental food and nutrition services to pregnant women and their children until age 5. Pregnant women, postpartum and breastfeeding women, and children under age five who are low income may be eligible for WIC. WIC provides foods like milk, cheese, and eggs. WIC also
provides referrals for other services for parents and their children. You can apply for WIC at your local WIC office. To find your local WIC office call 1-800-942-9467 or 215-978-6100 or check out
http://www.northwic.org/Overview/index.html.
The Welcome New Family! program provides home visits for newborns. The program teaches parents how to care for baby rashes, bathe and feed your child, and plan for medical care like
immunization and any special treatment that is needed. To
arrange a home visit call 215-685-5225.
The Home Visiting Program works with pregnant women and their children until age 3. Call 215-977-8990 for more information.
The Health Intervention Program (HIP) helps parents deal with the day-to-day health needs of their children. This program also helps with baby-proofing the home. HIP can work with your family until your child is 21. Call 215-581-2070 for more information.
Last updated: Summer 2007
