No maternity insurance--cost questions.

hgfmom

We're ttc and we have no maternity insurance. We've debated this for a long time, but we want a baby so badly that we are willing to pay for it out of pocket.

With that in mind, I've decided to choose my provider and hospital by who will charge us the least. My choices are North Fulton Hosp, Northside Cherokee, and Kennestone. I've heard good things about all the hospitals and have a pros/cons list for all of them.

I'm just curious if anyone has had any kind of experience with a similar situation. I know that dr's offices and hospitals are willing to work with their patients without insurance. I've heard of them taking 40% off the cost if paid in full. I'm just trying to get as much info on it as I can.

Thank you for any help.

ebearwife

I remember someone from the board who had a baby w/o insurance in 2008 quoting somewhere between $8k to $10k depending on vaginal vs C-section.  Good luck!

MrsFv20

I have no idea if Atlanta or somewhere nearby has birthing centers but I know those can be significantly less expensive, if you aren't high risk or need a c-section.

frlcb

MrsFv20:

I have no idea if Atlanta or somewhere nearby has birthing centers but I know those can be significantly less expensive, if you aren't high risk or need a c-section.

The closest birth center is Savannah, although there is *hopefully* one opening in Atlanta sooner than later, it is in the works. 

hgfmom

Thanks for the info!!

teamstringbean

Hi -

Both my husband and I are self-employed professionals with individual health insurance (not group insurance).  Our insurance does not have a maternity rider, in fact, it is currently impossible to purchase a maternity rider in Georgia for an individual plan.  Our payments are about $200 a month and we have a $10,000 deductible. 

Our insurance options were limited because my husband had been deemed "uninsurable" due to a "pre-existing condition."  My super healthy 32 year old husband was completely denied coverage had pre-cancerous skin cell changes. We were happy to be able to buy the horrible coverage we have currently.

However, this has effectively left us "uninsured" for this pregnancy.  I explored a lot of options because medical costs are a leading cause of bankruptcy and foreclosure in this country and it terrifies me.  

We make too much to qualify for medicaid - this is the income limit: $3,182 per month ($38,184 per year).

In order to qualify the for pre-existing insurance ( https://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/choices/pre-existing-condition-insurance-plan/ga.html ), we would have to drop our health insurance and go completely "naked" for six months. Ridiculous!  This was a risk we were not willing to take; however, it might be the perfect solution for someone who has been uninsured for at least amount of time.  

I can't help but feel punished for being responsible and and purchasing our own insurance.  The pre-existing condition insurance is MUCH better than our current insurance through Humana. 

Our next option was to shop around - probably something people with insurance never consider.  As I was too overwhelmed by this task, my husband made all the calls to the hospitals and doctors.  He called Northside: hospital charge alone $5,000.  He called Kennestone: $17,000 for two days - for the room.  He called Piedmont: $4,500.  Please remember this is just for the hospital.

Next we called OB/Gyns.  Luckily, we found an OB with a package deal for about $3500 too.  This included vaginal delivery and all standard OB care but not lab work.  Lab work is separate.  As is the anesthesiologist and the epidural. And ANY complications...all separate.  So, right now we are out of pocket $7000 for the hospital and OB if it is a vaginal delivery without complications.  If I have to have a c-section, the OB will be an additional $3500 not to mention OR costs, anesthesiology, etc.   Scary for a lot of reasons...

Please keep in mind no matter how much I wanted to pay right now, $1,200/month (our old COBRA policy cost), $5,000 a month, $10,000 a month even $100,000 a month - I CANNOT buy maternity insurance - it is not for sale.  

In 2014 this will change because  "essential health benefits" such as pregnancy and newborn care, along with vision and dental care for children will be required to be covered in all NEW individual, small business and exchange plans.

I still do not know what we will do to insure our child. 

I had difficulty finding this information when I was looking for it a few months ago.  I hope this helps someone else.