Insurance doesn't cover prenatal or maternity care...what are my options?

[togetherinthelandofoz]

We are considering switching from my husband's work insurance to independent insurance. We would be saving about $600 a month. However, the independent provider does not provide prenatal/maternity coverage. We plan to have another baby and hopefully within the next year. So, now we are weighing the two options. I've had two children in the hospital with no complications/naturally. I don't think a home birth is for me, but would consider birthing centers.

Any suggestions for Independent insurance providers that do provide maternity coverage or other ways to save on prenatal/maternity costs? (I don't believe we would qualify for medicaid per income levels)

***Update-really leaning towards going with the birthing center no matter what coverage we go with. I think this options sounds great.
***Also leaning towards the private/individual insurance plan and setting up a health savings account.

Any thoughts on the updates?

[romansmommy]

Originally Posted by togetherinthelandofoz We are considering switching from my husband's work insurance to independent insurance. We would be saving about $600 a month. However, the independent provider does not provide prenatal/maternity coverage. We plan to have another baby and hopefully within the next year. So, now we are weighing the two options. I've had two children in the hospital with no complications/naturally. I don't think a home birth is for me, but would consider birthing centers. Any suggestions for Independent insurance providers that do provide maternity coverage or other ways to save on prenatal/maternity costs? (I don't believe we would qualify for medicaid per income levels) Any other thoughts? Thanks!

I have a private BCBS plan for DS and myself (and the new baby once it's born) and it includes maternity benefits (after 10 mo waiting period) but I pay $495/mo with a $1000 deductible and 80/20 after that. Private policies are expensive!! I've had my plan for many years now (5+) and recently tried to shop around but no other plan was under $800/mo even with higher deductibles.

[togetherinthelandofoz]

Originally Posted by romansmommy I have a private BCBS plan for DS and myself (and the new baby once it's born) and it includes maternity benefits (after 10 mo waiting period) but I pay $495/mo with a $1000 deductible and 80/20 after that. Private policies are expensive!! I've had my plan for many years now (5+) and recently tried to shop around but no other plan was under $800/mo even with higher deductibles.

Is your $495/mo BCBS plan a family plan? Thanks for the info!

[romansmommy]

Originally Posted by togetherinthelandofoz Is your $495/mo BCBS plan a family plan? Thanks for the info!

Yes it's a family plan.

[twinpossible]

I think it would be cheaper to pay out of pocket for a birth if you did home or birth center then to pay $600 more a month until then. The only issue is if you get transferred to the hospital, then you could rack up a HUGE bill. Here in my state home births cost approx. $4k and a birth center is about $5-6k. Almost all of them let you do monthly payments over a year, that is how we are paying.

[TinaDeanette]

Originally Posted by twinpossible I think it would be cheaper to pay out of pocket for a birth if you did home or birth center then to pay $600 more a month until then. The only issue is if you get transferred to the hospital, then you could rack up a HUGE bill. Here in my state home births cost approx. $4k and a birth center is about $5-6k. Almost all of them let you do monthly payments over a year, that is how we are paying.

This!

[abunchoflemons]

I had bcbs & covered lots & 60 for baby. I think mine was 300 -400 a month full coverage. That was 7 yrs ago

[togetherinthelandofoz]

Thank you for your input!

***Update-really leaning towards going with the birthing center no matter what coverage we go with. I think this options sounds great.
***Also leaning towards the private/individual insurance plan and setting up a health savings account.

Any other thoughts?

[nursenmom]

If you aren't pregnant yet you could check into Aflac. They have some maternity coverage that is really great in certain states. I think I have the hospital policy and I *think* it covers free standing surgery centers so it may cover birthing centers as well. Last time we got a check for about $7,500 after the birth which paid our deductibles as well as the premiums for the insurance plus some. This time the plan had to be different and we will only get about half as much, but we are only paying about half as much (about $50/month). Anyway, check with the hospital what type of discounts you would get for being a "self-pay" and then if Aflac would apply.

[Jen31]

We have a family hsa account with bcbs...runs $505 a month for me, DH, DD, and DS. $5000 deductible. I do have maternity coverage; it added about $50 a month to our bill.

Sent from my iPhone using DS Forum