was wandering what it is like in america when you have a child

[rccresswell]

Hi all

I know this is a silly question but I find it quite confusing when a lot of women say they have to wait for insurance to go through to have scans and everything like that.  Do you have to have private insurance or is there a public scheme.  In australia we have public and private.  With public everything is free from scans to doctors appointment to having baby in hospital and staying in hospital for 3 days.  If you are private you get to choose who delievers your baby and you pay about 5000 for everything.

What is it like in america?????

[rccresswell]

Ok that kind of makes sense.  I'm originally from New Zealand and private health insurance was almost unheard of.  Everyone just used the public system.  When I had my son I paid for nothing because it was a pregnancy.  If I wasn't pregnant then you would pay like 25 to see the doctor, if you went to hospital everything was free.  I do know you had to go on waiting lists for major operations but they were all free.

In australia you hear a lot more of private health insurance.  Every tax payer gets 1% of their income taken out for medicare which is basically for public health.  If you earn over 75000 as an individual you have to pay extra medicare therefore people tend to go private.  When I had my daughter I didn't pay for any doctor visits, scans, my stay in hospital because it comes out of medicare.  The down side is you don't get to choose who delievers your baby but when I deliver I'm in and out so it doesn't bother me.  If you have private health insurance then you pay on top but you get too choose.

What happens to people that can't afford health insurance but earn too much to get government assistance.  Is it true that if you don't have health insurance and if you are in an accident they won't operate on you????  Maybe that movies are over exaggerating lol but is that true

[trh0819]

I paid for my IVF 100% out of pocket; however, my delivery costs are covered at 90% and my office visits range from $0-$20 per visit. My baby will covered for the same. I am insured through my employer at no cost to me.

[SunWorshiper_26]

I want to make it to both Australia and New Zealand to see the sights. I'm a huge horseback rider so I want to horseback ride down there too :)

[rccresswell]

Gosh that is very confusing.  I guess it is hard to comprehend what other countries are like.  I live in Australia but was born in New Zealand.  Both countries are beautiful.  New Zealand is a beautiful lush country.  YOu will have to make it down hear one day :)

[SunWorshiper_26]

In America there are three options 1. No insurance and everything costs a rediculous amount 2. Private insurance where you pay a co-pay approx $10-20 per visit but a set fee for all routine things and anything not covered under your plan you pay a certain percentage. 3. lastly there is welfare which is government funded for those in poverty.  That being said there are numerous private insurance companies and they all work differently. With my insurance I don't pay for my maternity care not even office visits for routine check ups. So I'm lucky in that sense. Some people do have to pay. Additionally what insurance must cover is mandated per state so in IL fertility treatment IS covered while in many states it is not covered and costs several thousand dollars.

It's all very confusing but hopefully this gives you some sort of idea :). The land down under is on my to do list it sounds so beautiful!!  

[trying43]

I have private insurance because I can, there are government programs that you dont have to pay for anything but its paid for by taxpayers, I picked my doctor, I have scans etc. whenever my dr. says its necessary, and its costing me about $210.00 for everything.