Pay for delivery up front (part 2)?

Question

My insurance goes like this for the delivery: I am responsible for the first $1,000 (deductible) and then they pay for 80% of the rest of the bill. So my new doctor is charging $4,500 up front, so my obligation would be only (20% of the rest of the bill=$700) Total:$1,700 in total that i pay. But my realy concern is this... look... i work about an hour from my house, (north jersey) and i can't afford to take a half a day off for a doctor's appointment down in south jersey where i live everytime i have to go. So i have a doctor up here, more convenient and most of the time, i can just go on my lunch break and be in and out. It's just my concern of paying that money up front, and being delivered by someone else in a hospital down by my house on the big day? You're saying i would have to pay up front, but then if she doesn't deliver me, then i am reimbursed? I'm just making sure, this is my first time... :) Thanks for the comments!

Answer 1

My insurance is the same way but our deductible is 500. My drs office hasn't said a word about pre-paying the 80% I will be responsible for paying them after delivery, but i'm also early in my first trimester, so maybe that is still to come.

I would explain the situation to them at your next appt and tell them that you won't pay OR sign anything until you get a written guarantee from them that if you go into labor while you are home that you get reimbursed every dime you paid them for delivery. That way you have some kind of "legal/binding" or some kind of contract and can hopefully get your money back if God forbid it goes to court or something.

Good luck to you!!

Answer 2

Ok I get why your appts are close to your work and in truth you will probably have plenty of time to get to the hospital when you deliver. As we all know it can take quite awhile for that little bundle of joy to arrive.
I understand now why they want your money up front, but if they don't deliver your baby then yes they would have to reimburse you for what you paid. You do not owe anyone any money for services not performed. At your next doctor visit just check with the cashier or person who sets up your appts. they will be able to explain this further. Also be prepare that it may take some time to get your money back. They will probably be able to tell you about how long that will be too.
Good luck and take care.

Answer 3

The dr gets paid for two different things. First, they get paid for your prenatal care. Do you pay the first $1000 of any medical expense or just hospital expenses?

Then, when you deliver, that dr submits a bill for the delivery. If your dr doesn't deliver you, they don't get paid. I don't think that they bill that part until you have the baby. I think the only part you'd pay for up front would be your portion of the prenatal cost. If in doubt, call the ob's office. They deal with this every day.

Answer 4

Usually when you have insurance they don't make you pay up front. Well I didn't have to with either of my pregnancies. It all depends on the insurance company and the doctor office policies. You really should discuss this with them, because different doctors may handle the situation differently.

Congradulations! And good luck!

Answer 5

i would think about switching doctors. i have never heard of a doctor needing money up front for medical services. not only that, but my doctor only charged $2500 for the delivery charge. there is no way to know what part you are going to have to pay until is goes through insurance. i would switch doctors.

Answer 6

Yeah. They can't keep money for services not rendered. Who knows though, you may be at work when you go into labor! Best of luck to you.

Answer 7

I can't believe how expensive it is to have a baby in the United States . I live in Canada and it is FREE