I'm currently on state-issued health insurance (MediCal), and they are getting ready to terminate my medical insurance because I make too much money to continue to have them cover me. I'm currently six months pregnant and NEED medical insurance. What do I do now?

C.N.

Women in the middle of a pregnancy are most in need of quality insurance coverage. It is a well-known fact that good prenatal care is the key to a healthy baby and a healthy mother. Many people who lack insurance coverage forgo prenatal care and put their babies and themselves at risk. A person is justified in being concerned about the potential loss of insurance at such a crucial time and should lose no time in making sure that she is covered for delivery and postnatal care.

MediCal is California's Medicaid program, intended to provide health coverage to low-income families. The federal government establishes the rules and supplies some of the funds used for Medicaid programs, and the states design their specific programs and supply the rest of the funding. Like other states, California has set eligibility standards that comply with or exceed federal standards. When a person no longer qualifies under the income guidelines of the program, he or she must seek insurance from other sources.

When a mid-term pregnancy is involved, however, it may be difficult or impossible to find affordable insurance. Even with opportunities for continuous insurance coverage, the cost may be too high to bear. There are alternatives.

First, call MediCal. Contact your local county Social Services Department and talk to a MediCal advisor to explain your situation. Terminating coverage in the middle of a pregnancy could be a huge mistake, and the program may be able to extend your coverage to include delivery and postnatal care.

Second, seek information on three other California programs - AIM, MRMIP and Health Families. Complete information on all these programs is on the Internet; here is a summary.

• The Access for Infants and Mothers (AIM) program provides low-cost health insurance coverage to moderate-income pregnant women and their infants. AIM is part of California's efforts to increase health coverage of pregnant women and their infants. The average subscriber is a married woman living in a household with a family income between 200-225 percent of the federal poverty level. The pregnant woman participates in the cost of her health care services through a low-cost subscriber contribution. The State of California supplements the subscriber contribution to cover the full cost of care. AIM is funded by $39 million from tobacco tax funds. Call 1-800-433-2611 for information.
  
• The Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP) provides health insurance for Californians who are unable to obtain coverage in the individual health insurance market. The majority of subscribers are women between the ages of 40-59 who are enrolled in the program because they have been rejected for coverage by an insurance carrier or health plan due to a pre-existing condition. Californians qualifying for the program participate in the payment for the cost of their coverage by paying premiums. MRMIP supplements those premiums to cover the full cost of care. MRMIP is funded by $40 million from tobacco tax funds. For information, call 1-800-289-6574.
  
• The Healthy Families Program (HFP) provides low-cost health, dental and vision coverage to children in low-wage families. Families participating in the program choose their health, dental and vision plan. Families pay premiums of $4-$9 per child per month (maximum of $27 per family) to participate in the program. For more information call 1 (888) 747-1222.
  

California has established these and other programs to address the needs of a wide variety of people. The website for the state has more information and contact numbers. Click on "Families," "Health Care" or "Insurance." If you get stuck, call the Insurance Department Hotline at 1-800-927-HELP.