Prenatal care

Frequently asked questions

• What kind of provider should I see throughout my pregnancy?
  • Typically, an OB-GYN—a provider who is both an Obstetrician (OB) and Gynecologist (GYN)—is the most common. Be sure to find someone who takes Oscar. If your provider goes out of network, and you’re in your first trimester, you’ll have to change to an in-network provider for your care to be covered.If you’re pregnant when becoming a new member—and in your second or third trimester, and the provider you’ve established care with is out-of-network—you can continue obstetrical care with this provider through the end of the pregnancy. Log in to your Oscar account online, or in the Oscar mobile app, to find an in-network provider.You can also choose to have a licensed midwife take care of you during the pregnancy. If your midwife is out-of-network, Oscar will need to sign a contract with them to have the services covered. Your Care Team can help you in this process. You can contact them from your Oscar account online or in the app, or by calling 1-855-672-2755.Note that Oscar won’t cover duplicative routine services provided by both a midwife and another clinician.
• What support can I receive if I have a miscarriage?
  • A miscarriage results in the loss of a fetus before 20 weeks of pregnancy. It typically happens during the first trimester, or first three months, of the pregnancy. Miscarriages can happen for a variety of medical reasons, many of which aren't within a person's control. (There are more than 3 million cases in the U.S. each year.) If you’ve suffered a miscarriage, please know that we’re here to support you. You can also contact our mental health partner, Optum at 1-877-852-4305 for more information.
• I’m thinking of breastfeeding my baby. What are the benefits I should know about?

  • With its skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding can be a wonderful bonding activity between mother and child, and it offers many other benefits. Breastfed babies tend to have stronger immune systems, fewer colds and respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia, and fewer allergies and ear infections. Breast milk provides abundant (and easily absorbed) nutritional components, antioxidants, enzymes, immune properties, and live antibodies from the mother. Potential benefits for the mother by breastfeeding include faster weight loss after birth (burning around 500 extra calories a day to build milk supply); a lowered risk of anemia; lower risk of breast cancer; and production of the soothing hormones oxytocin and prolactin, which promote stress reduction and positive feelings in the nursing mother.

• Should I sign up for birth classes during my pregnancy?
  • Oscar covers a number of birth, parenting, and lactation classes as preventive services, along with infant safety classes:

    • Childbirth preparation/Lamaze classes 
    • Cesarean (C-section) birth classes 
    • Parenting classes 
    • Infant safety (including CPR) classes 
    • Lactation classes 

    Both parents can attend, and there are no limits. Classes can also be done in an individual or group setting. You’ll need to contact Oscar to pre-approve your attendance for these classes. You can contact your Care Team by logging in to your Oscar account online or in the app, or by calling 1-855-672-2755.*Please note, these classes are not covered in Michigan.
• Are ultrasounds and sonograms covered?
  • Oscar covers ultrasounds and sonograms, but they might be subject to x-rays and diagnostic imaging cost sharing under your plan. Check your Schedule of Benefits for more information and talk with your provider to see if they require prior authorization through Oscar.An ultrasound exam is also used as part of the first trimester screen. Based on exam results, your doctor might suggest other tests or types of ultrasound to help detect a problem. It’s common for women to have a standard ultrasound exam between 18 and 20 weeks, to look for signs of problems with the baby's organs and body systems, and to confirm the age of the fetus and proper growth.
• Are labs and screenings covered?
  • Sometimes providers may send your tests to a lab that isn’t covered by Oscar. Always remember to ask your provider to send your lab work to BioReference, LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics, Oscar’s preferred lab partners, to avoid a surprise bill. Should that happen, however, please contact Oscar right away for help with this process.There are some eligibility restrictions and limitations, but the following labs are generally covered: 

    • Iron-deficiency anemia screening 
    • Gestational diabetes screening 
    • Hepatitis B screening 
    • HIV screening 
    • Rh (D) blood typing and antibody testing incompatibility screening
    • Syphilis screening
    • Chlamydia screening
    • Gonorrhea screening
    • Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in the urinary tract not causing active symptoms, or other infection screenings
    • Noninvasive prenatal screening (cell free DNA)

    When you receive the following labs, you may be responsible for the entire cost, or a share of the cost, depending on your plan and whether the lab work was medically necessary. These include: 

    • Genetic testing (subject to medical necessity) 
    • Pregnancy testing (if not related to contraceptive removal) 
    • Ultrasounds (subject to cost-share) 
    • Sonograms (subject to cost-share)
• Is it okay to exercise during my pregnancy?
  • Being active during pregnancy has many great benefits, such as endorphins, improved sleep, and can help to keep your weight gain healthy. Some activities that are safe during pregnancy include walking, swimming, and yoga. Talk with your provider to find out what’s right for you. Meditation is another good way to calm the body during pregnancy. We’ve also partnered with Calm to offer you 40% off sleep and stress reduction tools. (You can download the Calm app for free.) You’ve also got access to our new Fhitting Room partnership, with special prenatal classes. (Please avoid laying flat on your back after the second trimester, but again, consult with your provider about which activities are safe for you at various stages of pregnancy.)
• Can I keep taking my medications while I’m pregnant?

  • Although some medications are considered safe during pregnancy, the effects of others are unknown. Certain medications can be harmful to the development of your baby when taken during the first three months of pregnancy, sometimes before knowing you’re pregnant. With some medications, the risk of not taking them might be more serious than the potential risk associated with taking them. Please don’t stop taking any medication without consulting first with your provider, as this could be potentially harmful.

    If you were taking prescription medications before you became pregnant, please ask your healthcare provider about the safety of continuing to take them as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. Your provider will weigh the benefits to you, and any risks to your baby.

    If you’re prescribed any new medications, please inform your doctor that you’re pregnant. It’s important to discuss the risks and benefits of the newly prescribed medicine with your healthcare provider.

• Does Oscar cover prenatal vitamins?
  • If filled through an in-network pharmacy, some prenatal vitamins are covered by Oscar: Prenatabs Rx - Generic (Tier 1) and Citranatal - Preferred brand (Tier 2).For any other prescription medications, check the Drug Formulary to make sure it’s covered.