Does Medicare cover pregnancy and childbirth?
A. Yes, it does. Most people on Medicare are age 65 and older so the program isn’t usually associated with childbearing, but many younger people who receive Social Security disability benefits also qualify for Medicare coverage, and some of them do indeed become pregnant. The relevant regulation (as set out in the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 1, section 80) explains: “Skilled medical management is appropriate throughout the events of pregnancy, beginning with diagnosis of the condition, continuing through delivery, and ending after the necessary postnatal care.” Medicare also covers the cost of treatment for miscarriages, and for abortions in circumstances where the pregnancy is the result of incest or rape or would threaten your life if you went to term. It doesn’t cover elective abortion if you choose to terminate your pregnancy. This coverage for pregnancy, childbirth, or termination is just the same whether you’re enrolled in the traditional Medicare program or a private
