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Cost of having a baby?
Hey everyone, so I just got a bill from my OBGYN for $500 and a notice saying that I need to pay about $3500 prior to delivery. Is this normal? I thought prenatal care was covered by my insurance, but apparently it's only covered at 70%.
I thought I had great health insurance - but how much does the average person spend on prenatal/delivery costs? Any info would be appreciated!
I thought I had great health insurance - but how much does the average person spend on prenatal/delivery costs? Any info would be appreciated!
I agree with you. I DO get medicaid to supplement my private healthcare insurance, however I have worked and paied taxes for many years and so has my husband... for those who work for a living I don't mind my tax dollars benefiting them,....it's the shlubs that sit on their rumps doing drugs and committing crimes while the taxpayers foot their bills that really perturb me.
On another note...the healthcare "reform" is going to MANDATE that ALL americans have some form of medical coverage be it private or governement subsidized, if you do NOT have medical insurance you face fines, same as having automobile insurance. It's ridiculous.
For the OP: Another thing is to speak with the hospitals billing department. Some hospitals, especially those who receive government funding, have charities that they can apply to your account, or they can make you a deal on the costs by cutting some of them and making payment arrangements with you.
On another note...the healthcare "reform" is going to MANDATE that ALL americans have some form of medical coverage be it private or governement subsidized, if you do NOT have medical insurance you face fines, same as having automobile insurance. It's ridiculous.
For the OP: Another thing is to speak with the hospitals billing department. Some hospitals, especially those who receive government funding, have charities that they can apply to your account, or they can make you a deal on the costs by cutting some of them and making payment arrangements with you.
Another option is to shop for hospitals. If you have some cash you can work with them to pay a better flat price upfront. Get it in writing though. Although you would need to do that NOW! That might save you several thousand dollars.
Don't want to start a war on health care, but state/federal health care like medicaid is not free. As we all have learned nothing in life is free. It seems that I have read several times about this great free service and it is a little frusterating having my DH work so hard so we have health coverage only to have others get their "free" care.
Don't want to start a war on health care, but state/federal health care like medicaid is not free. As we all have learned nothing in life is free. It seems that I have read several times about this great free service and it is a little frusterating having my DH work so hard so we have health coverage only to have others get their "free" care.
I agree with you regarding the healthcare plan - there are so many places that are going to lose employees and costs are going to skyrocket...just for example.. if you own a restaurant and have 100 employees -most are part time - you will have to pay for their insurance or be fined.... so most employers in that situation will raise costs to the patrons and lay off a majority of employees so that they have less employees to either pay the fine or cover the costs.... I am not sure this one was really thought out.....
That really ***** people have to pay for child care, with the labor and hospital fees.. i feel for you ladies, and am now really thankful that the most we have to pay here in canada is the usage of the TV's in our rooms. we're covered by ohip or something so we dont pay a cent.
So you're getting the same as us really?? NHS! lucky you, Our NHS is C RAPPY!!!!
I went to the docs yesterday for Pain they gave me a lower dose of the tablet that put me into Hospital!! ARGH!
They didnt even tell me what it was AT ALL! So I had to ring the hosp because it got worse cause I aint taking those tablets. And they said there is nothing they can do make an Appointment in the morning. I went no because they done NOTHING to help me this afternoon hence why I rang you. DUH!
They said just lay down then. I was like the Pain is going up my spine I cant. They said just rest!! I went okay!! You rest with 7 brothers and 2 sisters running around the house!! Nice one!!!!
NHS... Mmmm. But I think if you pay taxes or are in further and or Full time education AND are pregnant or Elderly you should be entitled to free Nhs medical services. What about the people with things like Cancer?? They have enough on their plate?? Let alone paying for everything.
Silly.
x
I went to the docs yesterday for Pain they gave me a lower dose of the tablet that put me into Hospital!! ARGH!
They didnt even tell me what it was AT ALL! So I had to ring the hosp because it got worse cause I aint taking those tablets. And they said there is nothing they can do make an Appointment in the morning. I went no because they done NOTHING to help me this afternoon hence why I rang you. DUH!
They said just lay down then. I was like the Pain is going up my spine I cant. They said just rest!! I went okay!! You rest with 7 brothers and 2 sisters running around the house!! Nice one!!!!
NHS... Mmmm. But I think if you pay taxes or are in further and or Full time education AND are pregnant or Elderly you should be entitled to free Nhs medical services. What about the people with things like Cancer?? They have enough on their plate?? Let alone paying for everything.
Silly.
x
Definately check into medicaid for your state. Most states have a medicaid program specifically for pregnant women. Even if you have private insurance you may qualify for medicaid to cover the out of pocket costs you will incurr.
AndieA: yeah the US is getting a government take over of medical care but they are going to tax us all into the poor house for it. It's also going to allow the GOVERNMENT to determine who can get what procedures etc. If you're too old for a certain procedure, oh well, you don't get it. Those of us who actually work for a living and pay taxes will still have to pay for our healthcare and be taxed to death to pay for those who don't. It's also going to cause a shortage of doctors and an influx of patients resulting in lousy care and longer wait times. Many many doctors here have said that if this healthcare "reform" goes into affect the way it's planned they will retire early or consider a career change.
AndieA: yeah the US is getting a government take over of medical care but they are going to tax us all into the poor house for it. It's also going to allow the GOVERNMENT to determine who can get what procedures etc. If you're too old for a certain procedure, oh well, you don't get it. Those of us who actually work for a living and pay taxes will still have to pay for our healthcare and be taxed to death to pay for those who don't. It's also going to cause a shortage of doctors and an influx of patients resulting in lousy care and longer wait times. Many many doctors here have said that if this healthcare "reform" goes into affect the way it's planned they will retire early or consider a career change.
Its a crying shame people should have to pay for such basic things as antenatal care, and disgusting you have to pay extra if you need a ceasarian.
I am so glad Here in UK this isn't an issue, i would never in a million years be able to afford a baby if we had the same system.
Isn't the USA getting a NHS type healthcare bill passed? heard something in the news
xxx
I am so glad Here in UK this isn't an issue, i would never in a million years be able to afford a baby if we had the same system.
Isn't the USA getting a NHS type healthcare bill passed? heard something in the news
xxx
Oh, but if you aint in Full time Education or have a Maternity Expemtion card or something (And an Unemployed Exemption card) you gotta pay for Dental care and perscriptions and stuff..... But you dont gotta pay for seeing your doctor!
x
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OMG. I am so sorry.
We dont have to pay for anything like that here in the UK. So I guess we dont understand what its like down your end, we pay our taxes which then pays them
You have to pay for Labour??
WHAT? I'd ring your insurance and say ermm Im sorry what? And then change docs, Because that isnt fair. Can't you do a Payment plan? Like pay $10 a month AFTER the baby is born, because that isnt fair because you got a baby to pay for an alot of things to pay for!!! Ohhh....
We dont have to pay for anything like that here in the UK. So I guess we dont understand what its like down your end, we pay our taxes which then pays them
You have to pay for Labour??
WHAT? I'd ring your insurance and say ermm Im sorry what? And then change docs, Because that isnt fair. Can't you do a Payment plan? Like pay $10 a month AFTER the baby is born, because that isnt fair because you got a baby to pay for an alot of things to pay for!!! Ohhh....
It is pretty cool in Australia! I went privately and paid 3500 however this covered all delivery costs and appointments. Then we got back 75% from medicare and our hospital stay of 7 days before baby and 6 days after baby was covered under my insurance. Then they paid me 5k over the 6 month period
I would look into medicare as well. My sister just had a baby a couple of months ago and for the first doctors appointments and vaccines and everything she spent a good $10,000 total. Yikes!
I would look into other insurance options. Medicare is one option and it covers everything. I use the insurance through my work, which is great. If you want you can try to appeal the insurance company, too. I've done that before for another reason. Good luck.
Yeah, contact your local department of human services and they will be able to tell you anything. Especially since you are doing it on your own and those prices for just dr appts and the birth are extreme if you have insurance. what insurance do you have or is through your work? Like brittny and clysta, medicare should be able to help pay for what your insurance doesnt, and the hospital should be able to let you make installment payments.
If your single I would contact your state Medicare program and get set up on that. If you already have insurance they can subsidize the out of pocket charges and most likely cover it all. It's used as a secondary insurance. Also if your single you may qualify for WIC. There are many programs available just contact your local DSHS and they should be able to help you out.
OMG !!!
We pay out of pocket about $27 for a doctors appointment and $19 for ultrasounds. The rest is completely covered by medicare. If you are a low income earner, single parent etc you get it all for free.
Then when you have the baby the government gives you a baby bonus of $5k paid in instalment to your bank account over a six month period.
NO HOSPITAL FEE
God bless Australia.
We pay out of pocket about $27 for a doctors appointment and $19 for ultrasounds. The rest is completely covered by medicare. If you are a low income earner, single parent etc you get it all for free.
Then when you have the baby the government gives you a baby bonus of $5k paid in instalment to your bank account over a six month period.
NO HOSPITAL FEE
God bless Australia.
After you figure everythig out and the exact costs of everything, you could try talking to the hospital and see if they can do payment installments or some kind of plan so you don't have to pay it all at once. I'm not too sure of this myself because my insurance covers everything so I never had to worry about it. I hope you can get everything worked out.
Yeah, I am sorry to hear you get charged for having a baby! I live in Canada and havent heard of having to pay for anything except your hospital room for the night.
Thanks for the responses everyone.
I have no idea what I'm going to do. The cost seems ridiculous - it's a month and a half of my pay and I'm doing this on my own now . . . well I'll figure it out somehow . . .
I have no idea what I'm going to do. The cost seems ridiculous - it's a month and a half of my pay and I'm doing this on my own now . . . well I'll figure it out somehow . . .
WOW !
sorry, i can't believe people have to pay for this, thats awful.
i didn't realise, here in the UK it's all taken for granted i guess.
i hope you can sort something as that cost seems really unfair,
big hugs andie xxx
sorry, i can't believe people have to pay for this, thats awful.
i didn't realise, here in the UK it's all taken for granted i guess.
i hope you can sort something as that cost seems really unfair,
big hugs andie xxx
Our insurance we pay a $500 co-pay upfront. We actually have to prepay about 1 month before the baby is born. That covers everything. I've had friends average around 2-3K for their births on other insurance programs, it just depends on what you have. I would find out what exactly is included in your plan and what isn't. That might make the difference for you for making some decisions or using some of the services your hospital provides. I know our actual bills that we got in mail (showing what we would have paid without insurance) were around 11K for our son and close to 9K for our daughter.
The general cost is anywhere from 5-8k for a normal delivery and 10-12K for a c-section. It all depends on the hospital and what exactly your insurance will cover. There are definitely maternity insurance that can cut costs down.
I had medicaid when i was pregnancy. and everything is/was covered. even my sons circumsision, and even other appointments like i got to go the dentist and get glasses. so even no pregnancy related stuff was covered. and all prenatal visits, sonograms, pap smears, hosipital vistit, hospital stay and delievery, and even my DB got to stay for free the whole 5 days i was in. now my son is 2 months old and he has the same insurance. everything is covered, and im only 20, so I get the same insurance i had when i was pregnant till im 21. Thats some law they have in Michigan. I cant believe they didnt explain everthing to u. is there a different insurance u can go through.DO u have medicaid where u are, cause thats the best!
When I was pregnant I had tri-care (military health insurance) and it was covered 100%. If I were you I would contact the insurance agency to find out everything, then switch ob's. I've never heard of an ob/gyn demanding money up front before you go into labor.
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