Now the anxiety attack

StarlitRN

There is no point to this post but I have to get it out! The post below about the cost of having a baby has me crying & hyperventilatiing!! 

I lost my job & DHs hours have been cut to 1/3 of normal so our monthly income has gone down to about 1/4 of what we are used to. Thank God with savings & an extreme budget cut we have been able to make ends meet....but its hard!We had private insurance but had to finally drop it this month b/c we couldn't afford the $750/month....and they weren't going to cover the pregnancy anyways.

I haven't panicked too much b/c DH has been accepted into the Navy (he was in previously but got out to go to school), so I figured that Tricare would pay for the birth. The problem is that military benefits do not start until the first day of actual duty. DH was supposed to start Officer Training in Feb. but has now been told that there is a very high chance that he won't go until August......AFTER the baby!!

It now looks very very likely that we will have to pay for this pregnancy OOP! We make too much for Medicare & the VA will not give us any health benefits b/c DH was not disabled during his time in active duty. We are basically screwed. Healthcare in this country sucks! We have already paid off the OBs office for prenatal care & her services for delivery.......but I have no idea how we are going to afford the actual hospital bill. If I hadn't have lost my job & DH was still working full hrs then we would have been able to squeeze it out but now there is no way since we are slowly using those savings to live & pay our mortgage.

Maybe I should move to Canada......

BabyLove987

Some hospitals will do payment plans if you don't have insurance or owe a lot.  If it is broken up into monthly payments, it won't be too bad.  Also, check out county hospitals (versus private hospitals).  They usually charge less and are used to treating people without insurance, so are more willing to work with you on payment plans.

StarlitRN

We are calling the hospital Monday to see what their "average" cost of vaginal/c-sec delivery & to see about the payment plan.

I used to work in some of the county hospitals and REFUSE to deliver there!! The care that I saw those newborns get still gives me nightmares. We did look at birthing center options (though I'm not really comfortable with that idea....) but there are NO birthing centers in Illinois. Who knew?!

miranda040

You should check to see if you qualify for Medicaid assistance in your state, if you meet the requirements, the government may help to significantly reduce the amount you pay out of pocket.

m3l0d1

You can ask for an estimate from the Hospital where you're going to deliver.

My friend who is pregnant just did that, she didn't have an insurance too and she has to go for c-section. She told me it's probably gonna cost her around 15K to deliver her baby, it's incl. w/ doc visit and so on.

At least with an estimate you get, you won't be shocked or surprised with the bill later on.

Good luck.

?

StarlitRN

miranda040:

You should check to see if you qualify for Medicaid assistance in your state, if you meet the requirements, the government may help to significantly reduce the amount you pay out of pocket.

We went last week to talk to someone about any assistance we might qualify for. Sadly the income requirements for help is less than our monthly mortgage is (and our mortgage isn't that much!). They basically told us that there is nothing out there in the state for us. I've always had great insurance and never realized how crappy the US system can be to those that make some money.....just not enough! This has really been an eye opener.

nekorayne

I'm sorry, it sounds like things have been hard for you. I know it is SO much easier said then done but really try to take a deep breath and not stress to much. DH and I have been in a lot of tough spots before and somehow things always work out. I always remind myself and him that we always find a way to manage in the end. I agree that you need to call the hospital and work out a payment plan and hopefully they will understand that money will be tight for you till August. I cant imagine paying for the delivery with no insurance, I'll keep you in my t&p. I imagine it must be stressful but I'm sure there is an option even if it's something as simple as small monthly payments it will still help that you don't have to pay it at once.

Erin0922

 they will work out a payment plan. i know it sucks, but keep your head up! 

bekah_34

My mom works for a hospital and when some of our family had medical issues and no insurance she told them to contact the hospital and ask about any help they could give them.  Apparently most hospitals have either a sliding fee schedule based on your income and/or plans where the hospital will 'eat' part of your bill based on your income.  I'm not sure what the income requirements are and I think the hospital sets those limits because they're not associated with Medicare/Medicaid.  I believe you may have more luck trying private hospitals, especially those that more religious based (religious based isn't exactly right but I don't know how else to describe it.  They tend to be Christian oriented and are big on helping in the community.  Kettering and Mount Carmel in Ohio are two of the kind I'm talking about) although all hospitals probably offer these types of plans.  I hope this helps you!