co-pay at BRH?

Sarah K. B.

So I was told today that my co-pay was due by the 7th month to Brandon Regional. I've never heard of a co-pay being due by a certain time for pregnancy. Everyone that I've spoken to who was delivered at TGH, St. Joseph's, etc. said they didn't pay anything until after delivery when they were billed a month or so later. Is this just a BRH thing? I was hoping to spend that 250 on a crib and whatnot, not my co-pay right this minute!! I'm bummed, but is this typical or should I ask another biller there? Thanks!

vanillabean81

I delivered at Sarasota Memorial, but I didn't have to pay anything to the actual hospital until long after the delivery. I did have to pay my estimated copay to my OBGYN's office by my 28th week, though - they estimated it based on a vaginal birth with no complications and calculated my deductible, what my insurance would cover and what I would owe. We ended up getting some of the money back, but it was about two months after my daughter was born. With the hospital, we just paid the copay for the overnight hospital stay, supplies, medication and care for my daughter, but again, that was calculated long after the actual birth. Maybe it has something to do with whatever partnership your doctor and the hospital have, or the way your insurance is set up? I think you could definitely call either the hospital or your insurance provider and ask for an explanation, just so you're clear on why they require the copay. I don't think it's weird for a doctor's office to ask for the copay in advance, but I'm a bit surprised the hospital is, unless they're completely linked up.

Baby1Pineda

I delievered at BRH and they told me the same. I didn't pay a dime untill I got a bill in the mail and I had the best treatment ever. No one ever called me after myco-pay was due to tell me I had to pay it nor did they mention anything about a co-pay when I had a false alarm and went into labor.

Sarah K. B.

Baby1Pineda:

I delievered at BRH and they told me the same. I didn't pay a dime untill I got a bill in the mail and I had the best treatment ever. No one ever called me after myco-pay was due to tell me I had to pay it nor did they mention anything about a co-pay when I had a false alarm and went into labor.

Okay good to know. I won't worry about it then. Did you still fill out all of the consent forms ahead of time and whatnot? I'd like to get those taken care of, but I don't want to be harassed to fork over $250 each time. I hope the chick doesn't call me like a collections agency to get me to pay. What a hassle!

ThursdayBride

I paid in advance at BRH and they offered me a 20% discount! I saved $60.

Sarah K. B.

They didn't offer me anything :-( They made it seem like that was the rule and it had to be done. I'm not paying until I get a bill, let's just hope it works out I guess! Thanks for the input!

Baby1Pineda

Yup I filled out everything. I wasnt going to pay them til I got the bill and I did. Some of their staff is really rude but I never got a call:) Good luck the nurse are great. My docotr actually didnt make it into the room My daughter was delievered by one of the nurses and she was great. They really do try to full your birth plan as well.

clovonneptWed155273

Because I was uninsured when I got pregnant, I had to call BRH to see if they had pre-paid plans since I was on my own to pay for absolutely everything. Basically they offer a discounted rated if you pay up front by the 8th month. 

I was quoted $3500 for the delivery/hospital stay (that's on top of what I already pay my doctor). The discounted rated for an epidural is $1000, and I'm not sure of the other costs (pitocin, etc).

Can anyone share what the cost was for their delivery at BRH? I'd like to know how discounted this rate really is.