Went on the hospital tour today and now I'm feeling overwhelmed

Lauren1102 · February 2014

The lady gave us a packet and inside is a front and back business card sized card saying who to call/what to do when you think you're in labor. There's so many steps! I would think my first call would be to my husband, if he's not already with me. The second people to call would be my parents and his parents so they know. The card says to call the insurance company and than the hospital. Than all the things I have to do when I get to the hospital.

kalette · February 2014

Why the insurance company?? That's odd.

Lauren1102 · February 2014

I'm not sure. I didn't look at the card until after we left. I thought it was odd as well.

danabsd · February 2014

Toss it. You'll go to the hospital at 5-1-1. You'll have called your husband and likely the grandparents to be well in advance of that. No reason whatsoever to call your insurance.

FYI -- 5-1-1 is when your contractions are five minutes apart, lasting for one minute and have been that way for one hour.

demofea01 · February 2014

Actually check with your insurance company. Mine requires pre authorization for non emergency in patient hospital stays. So I do actually have to call them when I'm going in.

amroke · February 2014

demofea01 said:
Actually check with your insurance company. Mine requires pre authorization for non emergency in patient hospital stays. So I do actually have to call them when I'm going in.

I think pre-registering with the hospital (which I think is standard towards the end of pregnancy) takes care of this.

mrspopsicle · February 2014

I would just give your insurance a call in the next few weeks to double check. My card also says that I must have pre-authorization, but when I called to ask about the procedure/when to call they told me the hospital would take care of it.

MissLadyTay · February 2014

I would not "toss" the card and risk your insurance coverage for delivery. All insurances and hospitals are different. I would, however, call your insurance company now to see if you can take care of pre registration and skip it when you are in labor and thinking of other things.

kuvande · February 2014

I have to call my insurance for pre approval. They said it gives them a heads up that there is going to be a large bill being generated and goes to a special division in the insurance company.

sthomas1222 · February 2014

kuvande said:
I have to call my insurance for pre approval. They said it gives them a heads up that there is going to be a large bill being generated and goes to a special division in the insurance company.

Hahaha you'd think months of prenatal care would give them the idea that a big bill is coming...

The Perfect Team · February 2014

With my insurance, i just need to notify my HR coordinator at work, and she will take care of the rest. I was told pre-registering at hospital and putting insurance co. on alert of "short term disability" would take care of having to call them myself.

flawedpottery · February 2014

I would call your insurance company now. Mine just requires I pre-register with the hospital. Most will pre-authorize your hospital stay before you go into labor, or when you check in at the hospital. If you show up in labor at the hospital they will take care of you don't worry about that. I work in medical billing and as long as that hospital is in network for you the pre-authorization is pretty much a technicality. Don't wait until then to call your insurance though do it now so you know what needs to be done to get it set up correctly.

TecheB · February 2014

Call insurance company if possible. With my DS my Dr. sent me to labor and delivery when I was 35 weeks pregnant after a non-stress test when they noticed I was having constant contractions. I then ended up on bed rest. A couple of weeks later I got a fabulous bill b/c they said I had not gotten pre-authorization for my one night stay. It all got cleared up....but no need to deal with that stress when you will be so busy with new baby. So when my water broke at 38 weeks my Hubby made a quick call to just give them a heads up we were heading to hospital.