Paying for childbirth before childbirth

[mum2hba]

I have spoken to a midwife that requires the birth to be paid for by 36 wks, but my ob didn't bill us until after the birth. Although, I did over hear conversations that people that didn't have insurance had to pay for everything before the birth with a payment plan.

[foggierbard9]

I have insurance, so that is what really has be confused.

[pedspeech]

Originally Posted by foggierbard9 The letter says the alternative to the payments is to pay the full amount up front. I was wondering the same thing about if you don't/can't pay ahead? Do they tell me I can't deliver my baby?

The alternative would be finding a doctor that you can work with to get the payments made. Your doctor would probably be willing to work out some plan that you can afford if you talk to him/her about it and if not you will need to find another doctor.

I think I had to have my portion paid up for all three of mine by the time I was about 30 weeks along. (This was with two different doctor practices, so I would guess it is pretty standard.)

[cintinative]

[quote=jenrose;1994993]WOW, that I have never heard of. My OB actually didn't bill me at all other than my visit copay until after the baby was born then they billed me their fees in one lump sum.


Same with me--for both of mine I didn't get a bill until the delivery, which was for what the insurance did not cover. I am not sure how they can charge you for part of the delivery in advance--they don't know if you will be with the same insurance then. It doesn't make sense to me. I can see making you pay copays for the monthly checkups with the OB and the prenatal tests they run early on (bloodwork, etc.).

If you have a cafeteria plan, make sure you include these items so you can pay them pre-tax. You can change your allocation for a change of family status such as a new baby.

HTH!

[CW&M Mom]

I'm glad I didn't have to do that with the first baby...since it wasn't the OB that delivered her anyways.

You may want to look ahead and project if it's possible you could deduct these from your taxes...if so you would want to either pay it all this year...or pay it all next year to get the best amount you can...if that makes sense.

[tmsmalley]

Originally Posted by foggierbard9 I have insurance, so that is what really has be confused.

I had insurance too (good insurance even) but from the OB's perspective, if they wait, they're going to have to compete with everyone else for your dollars when it is all said and done. They're the ones that are going to see you for the next 40 weeks, they want their money first.

And thank God I did have insurance! My now 5 year old would have been over $150K to get born and get her kidney surgery done and my now 3 year old would have been about $50K. I paid a few hundred to the OB (don't remember exactly how much now), plus co-pays, a couple thousand to the hopsital and everything else was covered. Of course the insurance doesn't pay out that much because they've negotiated certain amounts but my company had a billing that showed how much the private pay amount would be. Amazing once I added it all up.

If you can't pay it, talk to the doctor's office. They will probably be willing to take smaller payments.

Tess

[greenrays]

Originally Posted by foggierbard9 I have insurance, so that is what really has be confused.

I paid my OB both times. This time around the payment plan was too much and they worked with me, it normally had to be paid by my 7th month but she let me go longer so I could have lower payments and then we were able to pay it off a little sooner but had that to lean back on just incase.

So I paid him my deductible + his fees from my insurance plan. Then it all depends on who bills first, the Dr or the Hospital. Last time, I was reimbursed my deductible from my OB b/c the hospital billed first and the deductible was owed to them based on my ins.

The confusing part is after the baby when all the bills are rolling in and who do you pay and who do you not pay!! I got a 2k bill last time for the dr's assistant b/c he wasn't on my plan. Turned out my ins made a mistake and it was cleared out, but what if someone actually just paid that:shrug7:that would have sucked for them!!!

Hopefully your ins has an oop max that you would spend. Mine is $1500max so at least I know that is the most I will pay the hospital/anesthes and all that before 100% ins kicks in.

Read over your plan and call call call your ins people if you have any questions!!

NOW---the hospital did want my $250 copay before I went in. They called me ALL The time but I never paid it. What if I didn't end up delivering there??? I thought that was silly.....

[gngcrzy4u2]

Yep- Both of my pregnancies through 3 diff. doctors I had to pay upfront- I thought it was weird too, but I understand sometime it's the only way they can get their money.....dont blame them. But it's tough to come up with the money like that too! Mine actually will refuse you if you dont pay I think....I know I have to sign paperwork in the beginning saying if I lose my insurance or if I go on Medicade blah blah blah they will refuse me.

[disabledvetswife]

Most insurances pay for OB services as a "global package". It is actually less expensive in the long run to have a package deal then if you paid per visit. The package price covers the medically routine care as recommended by all of the medical groups & societies. Your doctor should be willing to work with you on a payment plan. I had to pay mine in 1/3rds prior to 36 weeks (they don't tell you that in the letter though).

If you don't pay, your OB could refuse to provide services to you (although I seriously doubt he/she would risk losing their insurance contract). Almost all medical services state that your insurance copayments and deductibles are due PRIOR to services being rendered. Whether or not the doctor actually collects PRIOR to services being rendered is up to them.

You'd be surprised at how many people will not or do not pay their copayments and/or deductibles if you don't collect them up front.

I've owned my own medical billing service since 2004 and have been a Billing Manager at various companies, offices, hospitals etc., since 1989. The people who don't or won't pay aren't necessarily those who cannot afford. I've had destitute people offer to pay me $1/month until their bill was settled, while the person who lives in the multi-million dollar house & drives a Jag refuses to pay a $20 copay.

As a side note...unless you have an HMO and your doctor is a participating provider, he/she does not HAVE to accept your insurance.

As far as the hospital bill, in my area, the standard prevailing rate for a C-section, including two physicians, but NOT including anesthesiology, etc., is between $13,000 - $15,000. If you do not have insurance and do NOT prepay under a special cash discount plan, that is what you get charged. However, if you tell the hospital ahead of time that you do not have insurance AND prepay, your fees get reduced down to approximately $4500.

My global fee co-pay portion for my OB services was $1100.

[notsyourbeezwax]

I had to do the same thing 32 years ago, so I don't think that it is new. I had to pay both my OB (425.00) and the hospital (somewhere in the 300.00 range), in payments, but paid in full by my 7th month. The only thing I got billed for afterwards was the circumsion charge (14.50).

I am sure that every area and provider have different guidelines, so this is probably standard practice in your area.

Honestly, it was a relief to have it all taken care of. One less bill AFTER the baby came along!