First the good news. As of January 1, 2014 parents can now buy child only health insurance in every state.
Now the bad news.
If you give birth during 2014 that creates an SEP (special enrollment period) allowing you to buy health insurance for your newborn. If you have coverage, you have 30 days in which to notify the carrier of the addition to your family and have your newborn added to your policy from day one.
But if you DON'T have coverage, you can still buy a policy for your baby. If you apply before the 15th of the month your baby's coverage begins the 1st of the following month.
If you apply after the 15th, the baby's coverage begins the 1st of the month following the upcoming month.
Baby born on the 16th of January, coverage begins 1st of March.
That's 45 days without coverage.
Anyone see a problem in this?