I am 30 years old and finishing my PhD, I will not have a job for another year or two and my husband and I do not want to wait any more (he is older than me). His job doesn't have insurance, does anyone have any ideas on reducing the financial blow?
2006-12-25 16:44:54 · 11 answers · asked by emm 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I'm also pregnant right now without insurance. If you're in the U.S., go to your local Department of Human Services (DHS). You need to apply for health insurance. If you're qualified (you have to be able to prove your income, be a US citizen or legal resident for at least 5 years here), you'll be covered 100%. Mine is only for emergency which also covers delivery and post partum, because I've been here for less than 5 years. Medicare in the US really sucks!
For doc visits and lab tests, I went to a state-owned clinic here in Oregon and I was referred to another clinic because I preferred the 2nd clinic. Doc visits until the delivery only cost $600 which can be paid even until after the delivery. Lab tests fee are also MUCH cheaper. Just try to go to the Health Department in your area and see what they can refer/do.
2006-12-25 23:08:37 · answer #1 · answered by bogey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before baby...
You will have at least 9 months to plan ahead. Contact the hospital and see what the high average cost of a delivery is. Talk to your midwife (usually cheaper and IMO preferable to an obgyn) about their normal costs of prenatal care, labor, and delivery. Get a total of all expected costs. Start a savings account and set back the needed amount each payday so you'll have the amount you need by the time the baby arrives. Of course, you will use the money out of the account for the prenatal visits, as well.
After baby...before you pay the hospital a penny, see if they have any financial guidelines for assistance for uninsured patients. Based on your income, they could write off a certain percentage of the bill. Don't shake your head and say you make too much. You'd be surprised how lenient some of them are. Make sure you check it out.
I would suggest waiting or not waiting based on the figures. If you can basically prepay for the baby, then go for it. If not, you might want to wait.
Good Luck to you and Blessings
2006-12-26 01:06:31 · answer #2 · answered by Silverwolf 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start saving now. Also, check with hospitals in your area. The hospital I went to offered a 20% discount on delivery charges if you paid within 30 days. They also let you prepay-send in a little each month so that when the baby is born the bill is lower.
2006-12-26 01:20:29 · answer #3 · answered by cerah_micah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Midwives are wonderful! They are not nearly as expensive as a hospital, and often they will work out a payment plan that works for you. We had Kaiser insurance with our first 2 children, and opted to pay for a midwife, out of pocket, because we believed that a home birth, with a highly skilled midwife would be best for me and our babies.
Option #2 - Call Becky Blacka with Ameri-Plan. 1-888-287-0182 She offers a discount medical plan and will answer any of your questions. You save up to 80% on Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription, and Chirporactic. No restrictions, no waiting periods, instant savings, all ongoing conditions included. Her website is DiscountFamilyBenefits.com
If you want to ask me any questions about using a midwife and having a homebirth, you may e-mail me at kaland@mac.com
2006-12-26 00:55:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you can find and insurance company on line that is reasonable, or checking into a midwife, see if the Dr. will let you make a good payment arrangements, and work it out at the hosp. while you are waiting... or just put a size able amount in a saving account, while you are trying.. Good luck
2006-12-26 01:07:05 · answer #5 · answered by jakhiamylove 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, I dont know if you would qualify at all, but medicaid is the only free pregnancy insurance I know of......There are other insurances out there, but that is the only thing I can think of is to get insurance one way or the other! All kids BCBS will take care of the baby as soon as it is born....and they accept a lot of higher incomes and it is really cheap....ours was free....Good Luck! Hopefully you will find a way! that isnt so expensive!
2006-12-26 00:51:41 · answer #6 · answered by marymojo2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your doctor and find out what he/she charges for a normal delivery, then check with the hospital and find out the costs for a normal delivery and going home the same day, then divide that cost by 9 months and you can set up the prepay plan and everything will be paid for by your delivery date.
2006-12-26 00:51:38 · answer #7 · answered by Jo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you do not have insurance during a pregnancy it can be quite expensive. However, you will not be denied care if pregnant. I believe Planned Parenthood or local clinics would be able to assist if low on funds.
2006-12-26 00:52:17 · answer #8 · answered by happynay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
medicaid for pregnant woman...and that would help because it covers everything and every time you go into the hospital and you won't have to pay anything unless you wanted to have a baby boy circumsized. another thing with medicaid is you wont have to pay so much for medications
2006-12-26 01:04:22 · answer #9 · answered by tcb_2002 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
whats having a phd have anything to do with this Q???
have the baby at home with a nurse.
2006-12-26 02:08:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋