Can I be refused prenatal care and delivery?

[irinasmb]

I don't know what to do.  We have really horrible insurance.  I received a letter from my OB office that they anticipate my expenses not covered by the insurance will be around $3K and that starting next month I need to make payments of $500 per month and all must be paid up two months before the due date.  I have no way aloft coming up with that kind of money.  My  first appointment was a shock, $200 co-pay.  I told the lady I didn't have that kind of money.  She replied "that's ok, just pay what you can now and we'll set you up on a monthly plan"  WTF?!? How can that be a better option if I didn't have the $200?!?   Can the doc refuse my medical care?
I am supposed to have a csecton because she said she would not do a vback with me.  So do I just ride out this pregnancy with no care and go to the ER if & when I go into labor?  

The stress of this has me at my witts end.  

[Newmummy657]

I'm sorry but the American health system sounds awful!!!!!!!!!!! I'm in Australia and I chose to pay for private health insurance, but out of p

[cecilia_morgan]

1. You need to call your ins and see if they csn locate you a doctor in network bc I can almost guarantee that one is not and that's the problem.
2. You can have ins and get medicaid as secondary ins. If you qualify! I did first pregnancy but we mage a lot less money and I was unable to work at the time.
3. You may consider a midwife. I've heard excellent things about them and birth centers etc. And is usually a lot cheaper etc.
Good luck and I hope everything works out for you! :-)

[jaloveslorelei]

Planned parenthood does not offer prenatal care. I asked them with my first in 2010. I don't agree with them but figured I'd drain thier resources, but no luck. Misleading name. A Catholic hospital will never turn you away, they have a certain amount for those who can't afford care.

[jaloveslorelei]

Yes with medicaid appeal, reapply, appeal. They are such a pia. That is way too expensive,  how much would they charge for an appointment if you didnt have any insurance!? I agree with trying a midwife. I can't wait to switch to a midwife!

[wren09]

Eeek that's horrible I am so sorry. These kinds of stories make me so greatful I live in a country with universal healthcare.

[fafouna88]

If u have insurance they won't give medicaid that the reason u got denied, that happened to me to best u cn do try to find another OB and ask them if you cancel your insurance if you would be able to apply again for medicaid . Because either u hve insurance or medicaid u won't be able to have those 2 at the same time. ......

[GeekMom1213]

You may want to consider a midwife. Midwives provide excellent care, often for much less than traditional providers. Home births cost wayyy less than hospital births and are just as safe or safer for women who are low risk. And most midwives take all different kinds of health insurance but also can work with you to find something much more reasonable for copays.

[HBabe2]

I'm Canadian and don't have to pay for anything. I'm a bit ignorant to the while Obama care and Medicaid, but are they two different programs? Have you applied to both? I've spoken with a woman on Obama care and it's helping her throughpregnancy.

[aw219]

Make sure your insurance and Medicaid are correct and in order.  Keep asking to speak to someone else if you don't get answers.  If all else fails look into assistance programs in your area.

[hellojojo2200]

That is terrible!!I live in c.a and my whole pregnancy everything has been free for me
.and iv had high risk care..lots of ultrasounds an echo..ect...im so sorry!!!..more liberal states tend 2 have better social programs and help for ppl...I cant beleive they would leave u with those options..so wrong!..I feel so blessed I haven't had 2 pay for anything!...Theres gotta b something u can figure out 2 help.u.. :/..I don't kno anything about ur states programs and stuff tho..I wish I could b more.help..

[damselfly7]

I'm in a similar situation. My deductible is insane and they want $500 a month which I can not pay. I was denied Medicaid because I make $150 over. I have to work full time to pay my bills so asking for less hours is not an option. It's very stressful trying to figure out how to pay these dr bills. I understand your situation. It is frustrating I work and I can not get help.

[Jess215]

Also you can check with which ever hospital you use too. You can set up payments with them and as long as you pay what you can you'll be fine. Make sure you also tell them your money situation. My hospital had actually written off several bills for delivery

[Jess215]

I worked in a hospital and they cannot refuse you even drug seekers that say they are in horrible pain. Every one else is also correct find a health department they go by income. Call medicaid to make sure all info is correct. Every one pregnant basically qualifies for it even if it's just secondary

[Ree585]

I went thru this same exact thing when I first found out I was pregnant having a baby is very expensive however it's lot of places that can help. I sent u some info Thur ur private msg box they def can help u nd ur baby get coverage good luck!!

[megansmiles]

Call medicade first. Make sure they have you down as pregnant. They make this mistake a lot. Then, if you still don't qualify, call your insurance and make sure your ob is in your network

[irinasmb]

Yes, I'm going to have a lengthy talk to with the OB office.  Our insurance is 80/20 split, so that means I pay 20% of everything.  Which means that first a potent was $2K,  and that's why I had the $200 bill.  Our first two children's deliveries cost us about $2k each in medical bill, and took about two years to pay off because they were back to back (oops, irish twins)  and I didn't have problems with any of those facilities asking for payment before the due date.  We had them in a different state though,  so maybe the rules and guidelines are different.  

I just know I won't be able to come up with $3K in total in 5 months.  If this doctor's office is none negotiating on this, I'll probably have no choice but to look for another OB or and clinic that can help.

[carissamiller]

$3000 is the average cost of a pregnancy and delivery without insurance...most states will automatically approve pregnant women for Medicaid. I would call your insurance company and demand answers. Maybe they have a network provider.

[sew2009]

Did you specifically try for pregnancy medicaid or medicaid in general? Call your health department and if you haven't had a personal mtg, try that. I had that issue with my first, except the insurance wouldnt cover any of it except a little of doc bill. Medicaid denied me cuz we literally made $100 too much a mth and that was with my full-time income with my hubby. I owed them $1000 by one appt. I had my hubby call the dr. He is way calmer than me..lol we talked payments we could afford. It took over a year after my son was born to pay doctor and the hospital off. Also, call your hospital and set up a payment plan in advance...way cheaper to do in advance. Please don't stop getting care for you and baby. Just turn down all the extra tests. (I never did the test for birth defects etc. Only had 2 u/s etc...) hope you get help!

[danahenley]

Try obamacare

[dorothy701]

Hey I'm not in your state but here in Cali we have free clinics you can go to for prenatal care they drug test but that should be no problem for you idk if there are any on your area but I thought I would let you know.

[andiemoney]

This makes me proud to be Canadian! I'm so sorry you have to go through this.

[irinasmb]

There's no Planned Parenthood here. :(

[irinasmb]

I'm not saying I don't want to make payments.   We are able to make small payments of around $100 or so.  I also think we were denied because my husband makes well above what's considered poverty here.

[amandaball]

Wow thats awful. Im glad I live in canada eeek