How much $$ on flex account for baby?

JJ&BB1146 · July 2009

So after discussion with another nestie, I thought I'd ask the "general public" what you would do. Work offers a flex spending account and I've always used one. But now I'm wondering if I should put more money on it before baby arrives. Our fiscal year starts in September, so I'll have about 6-7 months of prenatal on it and then after the birth. So how much would you put back? The max is $5,000, but I'm not sure if that is too much since my insurance should cover a lot of it. Thoughts from the been-there, done-that crowd??

rssnlvr · July 2009

We put in the max, but that's b/c DH gets back any money not used. It's not a "use it or lose it" type thing like I know many are.

fjaril · July 2009

I think we put 2k in this year and I know it's all gone. so next year we'll do more.

For the baby you can multiply your copay by all the scheduled visits to the dr and go from there as a starting point.

bobcatsteph · July 2009

We put $1200 on ours because it's a use it or lose it type thing. We should have done at least $2000. Our our of pocket max is $1000 plus $100 per night in the hospital. I figured we would be covered by $1200 but I was wrong. I didn't realize that DD would start her own $1000 max even though she's covered under my plan for the first 30 days.

Abrooks · July 2009

I would calculate all your prenatal expenses (including prescriptions, etc), hospital stay, as well as anything you have to pay for other docs, like anethesiologist. Then consider all the newborn appts for the co-pays. Additionally throw in a few extra appointments as well, b/c you will have them. Then consider that the minimum to start with and go from there. If you are going to do the mini-pill or have other prescriptions, include those as well. Also, if you are bfing, you'll continue to take pre-natals. Think of all the items you know you'll have that first year and total it up then add a little more for safe measure (b/c there will be other expenses you won't have considered.)

JJ&BB1146 · July 2009

Abrooks:
I would calculate all your prenatal expenses (including prescriptions, etc), hospital stay, as well as anything you have to pay for other docs, like anethesiologist. Then consider all the newborn appts for the co-pays. Additionally throw in a few extra appointments as well, b/c you will have them. Then consider that the minimum to start with and go from there. If you are going to do the mini-pill or have other prescriptions, include those as well. Also, if you are bfing, you'll continue to take pre-natals. Think of all the items you know you'll have that first year and total it up then add a little more for safe measure (b/c there will be other expenses you won't have considered.)

I would totally sit down and calculate all of this if I actually knew any of it! It looks like my max out-of-pocket per person if $1,750 or $5,250 per family. So will I even come close to the $1,750 for myself, much less baby? And how much for the anesthesiologist? (The epidural will be my friend). I have no idea what I'm looking at!

rssnlvr · July 2009

JJ&BB1146:
It looks like my max out-of-pocket per person if $1,750 or $5,250 per family. So will I even come close to the $1,750 for myself, much less baby?

Yes. You will hit your out-of-pocket max.

naclh2otaffy · July 2009

I believe you and I have the same insurance. I put $3000 on it effective sept 1, he was born oct 5, and money was all gone by mid dec. Uncomplicated schedule c-section with 46 hours total in hospital.

Abrooks · July 2009

rssnlvr:
JJ&BB1146:

It looks like my max out-of-pocket per person if $1,750 or $5,250 per family. So will I even come close to the $1,750 for myself, much less baby?

Yes. You will hit your out-of-pocket max.

Definitely. Research your plan to see how they handle you and baby in the hospital. Will the baby be on it's own plan then and you'll have to pay the additional $1,750 or will be covered under your portion of the payment. Also - you know your co-pays - so do those times all the first year visits, your OB follow-up visit, etc. That will give you a better idea of how much to set aside.

Life taffy said - you could hit 3K easy - but all depends on your plan.

gabrielle20 · July 2009

rssnlvr:
JJ&BB1146:
It looks like my max out-of-pocket per person if $1,750 or $5,250 per family. So will I even come close to the $1,750 for myself, much less baby?
Yes. You will hit your out-of-pocket max.

ditto

ebat · July 2009

Do you have a coworker who recently had a baby and is on the same insurance? That's probably your best bet

based on a coworkers delivery costs I only ended up putting $1500 in my FSA

lovemydog · July 2009

Just something to think about in terms of cost - I had a vaginal delivery with UT's insurance and ended up paying about $1200 out of pocket.

NJinAustin · July 2009

you were reading my mind! I'm TTC and work for AISD... I've got one more week to decide. If we don't conceive this year, and I max my flex account... well... I need to find out if it's a use it or loose it thing like child care tax shelter account is. hummmm...

thanks everyone!! : )

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