insurance advice from a stm

JanMommy2under2

So, because this was such a big shock for me the first time I wanted to pass this on. Call your insurance now, early in the game and make sure you fully understand your coverage. Ask about copays, co-insurance and especially how your clinic works if you are high risk. My clinic normally collects a copay at the beginning and charges the rest at delivery however because I'm high risk I pay a copay EVERY visit! Even with nst appointments at the end which were twice a week. Also ask about breast pump coverage. The nice thing about being due in January you can get 2 covered by insurance, one this year and one next so you can have one for home and one for your car. I just hated getting the shock of medical bills and not being prepared! Also, always ask about financial aid after delivery at your hospital, we qualified even though my husband has a decent salary. Every little bit helps when you start adding it all up.

ashin121

I just asked about this to my obgyn. I have bcbs nationwide ppo. However all my friends are telling me hmo is better for labor and delivery coverage. I have to check to see if I can switch during my open enrollment and if they will cover the labor and delivery. I heard if you change your insurance mid way through a pregnancy, they might not cover it so you have to ask that.

The other option someone told us about was to keep my ppo and have my husband add me to his hmo so I get both coverages. My husbands health/eye /dental is perfect so he always gets the lowest insurance needs for eye, dental and health.

Mamabeagle

My insurance, and I'm sure most without a specific clause, will basically make me pay my deductible this year and next year for the birth.

Best case scenario really is a new years eve baby--one copay and the full deduction for 2015!

Glamgirl25

Thankfully our insurance is awesome I am high risk we just pay the furst co pay and 150 at delivery. No additional fees

steph_pegasus

Very good advice, just call them so you are informed and there aren't any unpleasant surprises.
I just did this last week after my intake appt.

m6tonner

Your insurance can't deny you if you switch during your pregnancy - with the affordable care act, it's illegal to deny coverage due to a preexisting condition. I'm in a lovely period of transition between jobs, my insurance is terminated at the end of the month, I go on my husbands for 2 months, and then my new employers insurance will kick in. So. Much. Fun. So. Many. Deductibles.

mrussello

My Drs office sat with me and went over my benefits. They said I have already my deductibles this year for the my family plan. If I wait to have the c section after the first of the year, I have to pay my family deductible again. So we are now leaning towards a New Year's Eve baby to save that money. I'm due January 4 and the dr suggested a week early. I'm going to call the Ins office anyway to get more info.

Blueyedsky

That's good to know about the beast pump and all the lovely deductibles. Thanks!

jem8407

@Mamabeagle I am so frugal I was thinking the same thing; New Years baby please! I had a D&C earlier this year (early January) and so my deductible is paid!