The Surest guide to maternity
Surest, babies, and you
You have so much to think about as your baby’s arrival nears — the last thing you should have to worry about is your insurance coverage. Surest offers comprehensive maternity coverage, including prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care.
Use this resource to better understand your maternity coverage on the Surest plan.
If you’re a Surest member with questions about maternity, reach out to us. The Surest clinical team is here and ready to talk. We will contact you directly.
Choose your delivery location
Coverage for maternity and delivery care is probably a little different than other health plans. It’s important to choose where you’d like to deliver first, because the copay for maternity and delivery also includes typical prenatal care. Use Surest tools to find delivery locations from within the broad, national UnitedHealthcare network. Lower prices typically indicate higher-value options, based on quality, efficiency, and overall effectiveness of care.
- Start by searching “maternity delivery care” in the Surest app or website, then “find providers” to compare care options in your area.
- Call the facilities—hospitals and/or birthing centers—and ask how their delivery prices align with your desired birthing experience. Ask if you can take a tour. If you’re researching hospitals, ask about induction and C-section policies. Research shows that when these are done without a medical reason, the risk of complications increases.
- Once you’ve selected where you’d like to deliver, search for an in-network OB/GYN or certified nurse midwife who delivers at that location. Call to see if their practice policies align with your preferences for care.
- Make an appointment with your chosen provider to begin prenatal care.
Maternity care and delivery coverage
The maternity delivery care copay includes these in-network services:
- Inpatient hospital or birthing center stay for you and your baby, in either a shared or private room
- Some plans may cover home births; check the Surest app or website for cost and coverage information
- Labor and delivery care—vaginal or C-section
- Induction of labor with delivery
- Doctors and midwives who provide care for delivery and medications or supplies (this includes anesthesia)
- Labs and testing while in the facility for delivery
- Typical newborn care in the hospital, including circumcision or other services. If baby is admitted to NICU or stays in the hospital longer than mother, a separate inpatient copay may apply.
If you go to the hospital during pregnancy and are discharged home without delivering the baby, the copay for the applicable service, such as emergency room, observation stay, or inpatient stay, will apply. If you deliver the baby during that hospitalization, the maternity delivery copay applies.
These in-network services are $0 copay
- Initial history and physical exam
- Routine prenatal visits and exams
- Recording of weight, blood pressure, and fetal heart tones
- Routine labs and prenatal ultrasounds in the office
- Routine postpartum visit
Breast pump coverage
Surest coverage for one breast pump is $0 cost per pregnancy. To obtain a breast pump covered by the Surest plan:
- Ask your doctor for a breast pump prescription
- Find an in-network, licensed durable medical equipment (DME) supplier
Here are a few national suppliers:
- Aeroflow Breast pumps 844-867-9890
- Pumping Essentials 866-688-4203
- The Breastfeeding Shop 866-255-6779
- The Lactation Network 888-434-7971
Provide your Surest member ID and the prescription to the DME supplier and choose the breast pump you’d like from their list. Some DME suppliers will also offer an “upgraded” list. If you choose a pump from that list, the DME supplier will tell you the cost you’ll need to pay.
These in-network labs and services are $0 copay with in-network provider
Labs
- Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) test
- Blood glucose test
- Blood type test with Rh factor
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Hemoglobin A1C test
- Hepatitis B and C screening
- Qualitative Blood (hCG) test for pregnancy
- Pap smear
- Red blood cell (RBC) count
- Rubella test
- Screenings for sexually transmitted diseases (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HIV, Syphilis (RPR) tests)
- Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test
- Urinalysis
- Urine culture
- Urine test for pregnancy
Other services
- Amniotic Fluid Index Ultrasound (AFI)
- Fetal biophysical profile (BPP)
- Fetal contraction stress test
- Fetal heart tones Doppler
- Fetal Doppler Velocimetry
- Fetal non-stress test (NST) The price for the test is $0, if it also includes an observation or other hospital stay, there could be a facility copay
- Fetal ultrasound
- Nuchal Translucency (NT) test
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
- Routine vaccinations
Copays apply for these services
For prices, search the Surest app or website. Some may require prior authorization.
- Amniocentesis
- Genetic testing (examples)
- Ashkenazi Jewish gene panel
- Cell-free DNA Test or Non-invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT)
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
- Cystic Fibrosis genetic screening
- Maternal Quad Screening
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) genetic screening
- Diabetes education and management in pregnancy
- Doula services are covered by some plans. Check the Surest app or website for cost and coverage information.
- Maternal fetal medicine specialist (perinatologist) or any other specialist care
- Rho D Immunoglobulin Injection (RhoGAM)
Birthing classes
When it comes to birthing classes, there’s a wide variety. If your hospital or birthing center doesn’t offer classes, the Surest clinical team can help you find a class. Birthing classes are not covered as part of your medical benefit.
Once your baby is born, be sure to notify your employer if you plan to add your little one to your Surest coverage.
We’re here for you—and your baby
Our team is here to help you during this important time. For cost or coverage questions, call our Member Services team at the number on the back of your Surest member ID card. If you think your pregnancy may be high-risk, or you’d like additional help with support or resources, request to speak with a clinical advocate. clinical team is here and ready to talk. We will contact you directly.
Healthwise tools to support common pregnancy questions.
- Should I breastfeed my baby?
- Should I take antidepressants while pregnant?
- Should I have an amniocentesis test?
- Should I get an epidural?
- Should I have Chorionic Villus Sampling done?
- Should I try for a vaginal birth after a past C-section (VBAC)?
For helpful information about pregnancy trimesters, managing morning sickness, and what to expect at prenatal appointments, visit the Healthwise library.
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This content is not medical advice. You should always consult with your health care professional.