Do guys need maternity coverage? No, but that’s not stopping states and the federal government from passing legislation to require every health insurance plan to provide it.

California is the latest state to pass legislation to require every health insurance plan to provide maternity services regardless of sexual orientation. Starting July 1, 2012, all health plans will cover maternity services. So, look out for those health insurance letters, Californians!

You may be asking yourself, why am I forced to pay for maternity coverage? It’s a good question. In the past, health insurers were not required to provide maternity benefits to those who bought there own insurance. These left tens of thousands of people having to pay out-of-pocket for births. Keep in mind the average cost of delivering a baby is around $13,000.

Obviously, there was quite a bit of protest about this issue which caused California to pass legislation requiring every health plan to provide it.

For males, health insurance premium increases are likely, as the new benefit will be spreading the risk of pregnancy among men and women – try not to laugh. Spreading the risk basically means spreading the cost – now, you aren’t smiling.

Men who are not in California – maternity coverage is coming to a state near you. Health care reform requires all health plans to include maternity coverage as of 2014.

What do you think — should every health plan cover maternity services?