what is the best and cheapest way to have a baby if you don't have maternity coverage with your insurance?

Question

my wife and i have individual insurance. There is no maternity coverage. We want to have a baby in the most cost effective way but also in a quality hospital. We both make good money so we don't qualify for government programs like medicaid. I really just want to avoid paying 10k out of pocket if possible.

Answer 1

Look into midwives and local birthing centers. Not only is this going to be more economical but it's much more peaceful for you and your wife than a hospital. I don't ever want to have another baby at a hospital again.
If you go through a birthing center/midwife, it will cost a lot less because Midwives are nurses, not doctors and birthing centers are not hospitals. Also, you can look into the option of giving birth at home, which will knock out the cost of the birthing center altogether. And this would be MUCH more peaceful for your wife to just be surrounded by loved ones and a trained professional.
If any complications arise, midwives are always in touch with or working with different doctors who would immediately be waiting at the hospital if need be so there is no worry there either.
But I would recommend it over a hospital anyday. There is no rest for a new mother at a hospital.

Answer 2

I think if I were in your situation, I would stop in at a couple of OB/GYN offices and be honest with them. Ask them what total cost out of pocket would be and maybe they'll work with you. I think it's a crime in this country that people are in your situation. Probably, if it were me, I'd wing it for the beginning months if I had to.

The sad part about this is that women have had babies for centuries with the help of an 'unlicensed' mid-wife (the girls would come to the house to help deliver).. Although the death rate was probably higher - it just kills me that we make such a damn science out of a natural occurrence. It's such a money making racket and it's disgusting when the US government deems that you MUST have health care while your pregnant but doesn't kick in when you don't have insurance. It's a CRIME not to get care - because if you weren't getting care and something happens to the baby - you can be prosecuted. Just don't know what direction this country is going in.....really stupid.

One other suggestion is you may want to find if you have a mid-wife around. These people are basically paramedics and all they do is deliver. They have good records. Depending on the state, many come for delivery in a mini ambulance in case of emergency and babies are many times delivered right at home. I would highly consider that to be an option. It HAS to be cheaper, yet the quality of care, I believe, would probably be as good or better than traditional.

Answer 3

Well I am wondering what kind of jobs that you have that don't cover maternity? I work for the state and I consider my income low, but they do cover maternity. I don't know any company that has insurance that doesn't cover maternity. I would put having a baby on hold until you or your wife finds a job that covers maternity because it can become very expensive especially if complications arise. I think its great that you are thinking of this and making plans. Also make sure that the insurance doesn't cover maternity. Read the policy for yourself, don't take someone else's word. Good Luck!

Answer 4

When I became pregnant with my first son, I had just started a new job and wasn't eligible for benefits for 90 days. I called so many OB's offices, and they all said the same thing...they'll take cash patients, but for a $3,000 deposit. (This amount may vary by state. I was living in Michigan at the time.) None of them were even willing to see me for one visit, knowing that I'd have benefits, but it was going to take a few months.

The thing about the OB's fees...with both of my deliveries, the OB's charges were roughly $4,500. ($4,000 for my first son...vaginal delivery; and $5,000 for my second son...c-section delivery.) The TRULY expensive part is the hospital's charges. With my first son, the hospital charged $12,000 (this includes the anesthesiologist for my epidural, too). With my second son, it was slightly higher due to the fact it was a c-section...we had the fee for the OR, the extra nurses, attending physician, etc.)

It's very important for your wife to get prenatal care, so your best bet would be to call a doctor or midwife and explain your situation to them. I don't feel very strongly for midwives for the simple fact that I was very comfortable knowing that if something bad DID happen to one of my babies, I'd have a trained surgeon and RNs there to fix the problem. (All obstetricians are also surgeons, FYI.) This did happen with my second son, actually. He was an emergency c-section, and my OB delivered him (obviously). If I had spent the time forming a close relationship with a midwife, when it came down to it, she would have been left in the shadows twiddling her thumbs while an obstetrician I didn't know delivered my baby, you know? At any rate, I'm not discounting midwives...in your case, it might be your only option. (Someone else who answered you said that a midwife may be more apt to work with you as far as payments, etc. The big concern for you will be your hospital charges. As horrible as this may sound to some...NO hospital will refuse a pregnant woman who is giving birth. They'll deliver her baby regardless of her insurance (or lack thereof). The problem lies in paying the hospital back after delivery.

If I were you, I'd concentrate on finding your wife good prenatal care, and worry about the hospital later.

Answer 5

My insurance has a really high deductible.. I talked to both the doctor and the hospital and paid in advance and it saved me ALOT of money.. My dr was 3 k and by paying in advance I only paid 1500 and the hospital also gave me a big discount... I would talk to them and tell them that your insurance doesnt cover maternity and see what they say its worth a shot it helped me a lot
good luck

Answer 6

If she is healthy and no complications the birth will cost around $5,000 for the stay. Her OB appointments will be billed after the baby is born, and mine, even with insurance was $800, and I am high risk with this pregnancy, and have already had more visits than with the entire 1st pregnancy and I am only 21 weeks along

Answer 7

If you really both make good money then you should not even be trying to make a cheap deal since there probably isn't one for you. However, if you are planning to have a baby that you are going to dump into child care so you can continue to make good money maybe you should not be thinking about bringing a child into the world at all. Save your money until you can afford to have the baby. Hopefully, it will be healthy and you will have coverage for well baby care. Think about how much you spend on entertainment, lunches during the week, bottles of wine and anything else that is not a necessity. When you are ready to make sacrifices to have a child, you may be ready to have one you can be a good parent to.

Answer 8

Yes, it method not anything regarding the being pregnant is protected. I used to be on my dad and mom coverage whilst I obtained pregnant, and it did not duvet any maternity costs. It did pay for the primary appointment, however I suppose that is considering the fact that it used to be simply considering the fact that it used to be to deliver me IV fluids, and they did not placed that down at a prenatal factor.

Answer 9

There might be some family planning package through one of the local clinics, even if you make money birth control and other family planing money might be available. Normally they are for people who don't want children but if you are already pregnant (or your wife is) you might be able to qualify for some programs.

Answer 10

Ask the ob for a discount. They give insurance companies discounts. Also, look into buying just plain maternity insurance. Good luck!