Have you thought about costs?

[Cheesecake7]

I have been thinking about the financial aspect of L & D. I am wondering if any of you face this, or if you have any advice/thoughts.  

My insurance has a new deductible and out of pocket maximum, and both of these start over in January.  Basically, what this means, is that in any given calendar year the most we will have to spend out of our pocket it $3,000 before the  insurance takes over and pays at 100%.   Prior to us meeting this $3,000 out of pocket maximum, my insurance pays at 80%.    

This calendar year, 2008, we have already met about 1,500+ of the 3,000 dollars.  

So:  
If we have baby in January we will add this years bills to a new set of $3,000 bills from L &D.

If we have baby in December, the most that they can charge us is 1,500 because we will have met our maximum.  

I have been wondering about asking our doctor to induce me in December because of this.   On the other hand, I have always wanted a natural delivery, and I don't want to make her come if she isnt ready to come.  

What do you think???

[elbow77]

I have been thinking about it. My deductible is $2000 that's due October 13th! It didn't dawn on me that my due date is January and I may have to pay something else because it's the next year. I will be calling the insurance company tomorrow to figure it all out. I don't wan to be hoodwinked and bamboozled by the insurance company come January.

[HBPsMom]

Wow...I guess I am pretty lucky.  I am covered under my husband's insurance and it's only a $250 deductible plus 10% of the rest of the charges.  We have been discussing changing insurances in January to go back to coverage with my employer because it's much cheaper in the monthly costs.  I was kinda freaking out because I though if we didn't have him before the end of the year or if I was still in the hospital it would rack up some major charges but my benefits lady told me since it was maternity related and I've been covered for at least 12 months previous I would have to pay an addition $500 when it starts on Jan 1st but that's it.  Plus, my doctor said we would definatly do it by the end of the year...I was a little over two weeks early with my 1st and I am due Jan 4th.  I am scheduling a repeat c-section so he said we have some flexability of when to do it...

[tramaddi]

It ***** to have to think of having your baby early due to cost.  I am fortunate since I am Native American and do not have to worry the cost is paid by the Indian Health Service.  The only problem is they usually take forever to process payment so by the time it gts taken care of your credits already been ruined.  I am really relieved tho cuz I got a copy of the u/s bills and it was about $500.00! So I took it over to IHS.  We do have BlueCross thru my job but they have apretty high deductable.  I was also wondering if my son is born in Jan if I can claim in on my tax returns?  I thought so as long as he has a SSN#.  I also need to enroll him in my tribe, fortunately I am enough to get him enrolled since my H is non-indian.

[Tarobinc]

Check out the cost of induction first.  My friend was induced b/c she was so ready to have her baby (my memory is fuzzy here) around 38 weeks or so.  She was just so huge with her baby boy and her doctor agreed to do so b/c she was just so uncomfortable.  (She lives in Vermont, small town, very different practices up there in general about pregnancy.) However, b/c she didn't meet the requirements by her insurance company for induction, she had to pay out of pocket for the induction plus the room charge, OB time, etc. Just make sure if your OB agrees to induce you, you know what you insurance company will do about it.

Im out of luck for December, it would be too early for Sophia to come into this world since Im due the end of January.

Good luck to those of you who are pretty close to be able to have a December baby.

[LauraB78]

Yes, I ahve though about it. My deductible for L & D is $1,000. regardless as to when.. Uggh..

And I highly doubt your Dr. will induce you for a tax break.. Just my opinion.. I wish we had a totally different health care system. It really stinks..

[rachie204]

yes I started thinking about this when i was give my due date....lol. Our deductible is $1500....I am due jan 5th.  I am going to try and get my doctor to induce the last few days in Dec if possible.   Not only is there the insurance to ponder but taxes as well.  We get about $1500 for each child we have every year, but in order for us to collect on Emma come spring time she MUST be born by Dec 31st or else we will have to wait to caim her next year.   (this is according to the tax guy)  Hopefully we will break even....