Aa
USA birth
I'm moving to the states and I was wandering how much does it cost to have the baby in a hospital. Or is there a cheaper way because I won't have insurance.
We pay a lot in taxes to cover all our medical care etc, but its worth it to know that there's a health service for everyone in the UK. Although they were cracking down on people coming over for free hospital care on their holidays but tbh I don't think its that big an issue. You can't just walk into a hospital and order a c section lol
I'm shocked to learn that you DON'T have to pay in other countries!
We are lucky to have great insurance, 100% free maternity/delivery. No copay or anything. Also Medicaid covers everything if you qualify.
LizRunzo111- that's awesome!
I thought you had to have insurance in Ireland? I had to pay to go see the doctors when I lived over there. All I can say is people moan about the NHS in England but if they had to pay for it like you guys in the states do then I'm sure they wouldn't moan so much.
I'm fortunate, my husband's company has really good benefits. Our insurance covers 100% and we have no deductible, just a $100 Co pay at the hospital.
Even if you have insurance, I haven't heard of a policy that will pay 100% unless you have a high deductible and have already met it.
Most u.s. citizens that are pregnant and don't have insurance can get on state insurance specifically for pregnant women, but I'm not sure they'll cover someone who isn't a citizen, or at least has a green card.
I'm absolutely shocked :(
Most of what geekmom said is true. I don't agree with saying pregnant women should wait to go to Dr instead of going straight to hospital if they feel something is wrong. Although most of the inductions I seen on here were not needed, I have medical training and know for a fact they are done mostly with out need. Unless you or your baby's life is in immediate danger it's best to just wait. But as far as people going to er for no reason, I have seen er visits for cough, sniffles, minor cuts or burns that all can be cared for at home with a basic first aid kit and the list Goes on about the stupid stuff I see in there. One guy was in a four wheeler drunk and fell off and broke his leg no insurance and insisted he could not pay hospital bill out of pocket even on a payment plan... this guy could buy his four wheeler and booze though why should anybody else pay for or absorb the cost of his treatment. That is why it cost so much for good people to pay for medical care and why it looks so bad on those who get government insurance, use it wisely and really need it.
Its just surprising one has to pay to give birth in so called world glass countrywhile we have free access to give birth except you use a private....
Except that most insurance plans don't cover what people need and deny perfectly acceptable claims all the time to save themselves money - and in many states, the low-income subsidized insurance hasn't been expanded to cover all the people who actually need it (because their governors believe that poor people are much less of a hassle when you let them die in the streets from lack of healthcare).
Insurance rates aren't only high from insurance companies being moneygrubbing theives, though. Insurance rates are jacked up by people who don't pay their medical bills, too. Since unpaid medical bills are rarely reflected on credit reports, people ignore them until they go away and hospitals have to pay for those services that consumers should have covered.
To those of you outside the US - when you see posts of "oh I think I might've just had a contraction" or "I have an appointment for an ultrasound in three weeks but I want to see my baby right now" or "I'm 35 weeks and uncomfortable so I want to pretend I'm in labor and they'll induce me right now" and the answer is immediately "go to the ER! they'll take care of that for you!" that's why giving birth in the hospital costs so much. Someone has to pay for that. And as you can probably tell from these snapshots of cost - an emergency room ultrasound isn't cheap. People don't call their primary care practitioners for low-priority issues even though a phone call is free (even after hours) and a next-day appointment is far less expensive than an emergency room visit.
People don't understand how healthcare works, and they're not interested or informed enough to insist that the US join the rest of the civilized world in offering universal healthcare. They've been convinced that doing so would be socialism and that our tax rates (some of the lowest in the world) are what is ruining our economy (which has recovered quite nicely despite the best efforts of one particular political party).
Insurance rates aren't only high from insurance companies being moneygrubbing theives, though. Insurance rates are jacked up by people who don't pay their medical bills, too. Since unpaid medical bills are rarely reflected on credit reports, people ignore them until they go away and hospitals have to pay for those services that consumers should have covered.
To those of you outside the US - when you see posts of "oh I think I might've just had a contraction" or "I have an appointment for an ultrasound in three weeks but I want to see my baby right now" or "I'm 35 weeks and uncomfortable so I want to pretend I'm in labor and they'll induce me right now" and the answer is immediately "go to the ER! they'll take care of that for you!" that's why giving birth in the hospital costs so much. Someone has to pay for that. And as you can probably tell from these snapshots of cost - an emergency room ultrasound isn't cheap. People don't call their primary care practitioners for low-priority issues even though a phone call is free (even after hours) and a next-day appointment is far less expensive than an emergency room visit.
People don't understand how healthcare works, and they're not interested or informed enough to insist that the US join the rest of the civilized world in offering universal healthcare. They've been convinced that doing so would be socialism and that our tax rates (some of the lowest in the world) are what is ruining our economy (which has recovered quite nicely despite the best efforts of one particular political party).
Here in America the tax payers pay for people who can not afford insurAnce or out of pocket cost to get free or low cost medical care. My husband and I run a home daycare and my children and I all get government insurance. Being self employees and running a small business we have to pay taxes and trust me we paid less and made more when my husband worked a regular job. The way I see it we pay for our own insurance. Here the laws are studied it should be free to give birth and to die.. why should they charge you to be put in the ground your dead it should be free. I think the only thing you should be charged for is if you cause yourself to get sick or injured. Its crazy...
There's insurance here for the rich, middle class, and poor. That helps pay for the cost.
Good question I have no idea
Thats absolutely crazy prices ..
I'm in Ireland and maternity care is completely free. Unless you go private (private room is basically the only difference) - or semi private. .. even then its like €750.00 :/
How do people cope with teen pregnancy or unplanned pregnancy who pays thousands for them to give birth???
I'm in Ireland and maternity care is completely free. Unless you go private (private room is basically the only difference) - or semi private. .. even then its like €750.00 :/
How do people cope with teen pregnancy or unplanned pregnancy who pays thousands for them to give birth???
I'm sorry do you have to pay to give birth in America? That's ridiculous how can people afford children? :0
Same in the Uk, are tax pays for all medical, whatever you need, broken bone, to give birth, heart attack, cancer, even over adventurous sex gone wrong lol. (Unless cosmetic, then you have to pay)
I live in a huge city, it's $20,000-30,000 if you don't have insurance...
If you're not high risk you might want to look into midwife-assisted homebirth. Much MUCH cheaper and very safe with licensed professional experienced help.
Move to Minnesota it's a women's state. Trust me, every women has medica here.
Not in the state :( they have to may for all medical stuffs. Canada our taxes pay for everything.
You have to pay too give bith! I take England for granted! I just assumed it was free to go to hospital to give birth everywhere...
Thank you for all your information. I will look into it.
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