Obgyn problems

angrox3 · January 2015

hi all, this is my first time posting. I am 38 weeks pregnant and my obgyn won't see me. In November the office told me they do global billing and by the first week of January I needed to pay 2000 dollars. I told them that was a problem and I couldn't afford that. My husband changed our insurance by December and the office said they would call to see if the changes did anything. Right before Christmas they told me nothing was changed and I still needed to pay 2000 by the first week of January. I couldn't pay it, and now they won't even see me or work with me. I don't know what to do. I applied for Medicaid but I'm sure we won't get it. How will have this baby with no doctor!?!? Help!

junebugjam · January 2015

What's the reason for paying the $2000? Deductible? Some info is missing here. In any case, you go to the hospital and SOMEONE will deliver the baby. But there will be bills associated with that too. I'd call your doctor and work out some kind of payment plan. You can't just expect to not pay what you owe.

angrox3 · January 2015

Yes it's a deductible. I tried setting up a payment plan but they said I should have had it paid by the 4th and wouldn't take a payment plan after that although I've been trying to work with them since November. I don't want anything for free but seeing as I've been paying 600 a month for insurance and I haven't been working since October due to health we couldn't afford 2000 in two months. I don't mind paying we just couldn't do it in two months.

angrox3 · January 2015

I'm also sure that I stated in my original post it was for global billing and that I had tried to work with them, so I wasn't expecting something for nothing.

Ecarabeo217 · January 2015

Call your insurance company. Not to complain about the deductible, but to report that they won't see you. They should be able to get involved

angrox3 · January 2015

Thanks for the help!

dreemkin84 · January 2015

If you knew since nov that you'd have to pay, why not be saving up? All offices charge something...

Maybe you could borrow from family or friends?? Or offer to bring in to the office what you CAN pay and hope that the office will let you pay the rest at a later date.

Yes, a hospital can't turn you away if you go there in labor but this will end up costing you sooo much more than 2000, while you have a newborn to financially take care of too.

angrox3 · January 2015

I had been trying to change my insurance like I stated before and the office new we were trying to figure out something like I said in the previous post. You have to pay hospital bills no matter if you pay the deductAble for your doctor or not. I was not aware that there was an extra charge because of the new year, because when I gave birth to my son they didn't charge this fee. I understand now why I haven't asked questions on here before, because people act as though you are stupid. I have tried working with the office. I was not aware that I could just deliver a baby without a doctor, and I guess I was more concerned about he prenatal care that I'm missing out on and wanted to know if any other mom had been through this. I will say again for the 100000000 time I'm not trying to have a baby for free, I was simply thrown into this global billing and had not ever seen it before. The doctors won't take parcel payments I've tried that. I just wanted advice about where to go from here not people telling me I'm missing information or I should have been paying because I've tried that.

reneamac313 · January 2015

angrox3 said:
I had been trying to change my insurance like I stated before and the office new we were trying to figure out something like I said in the previous post. You have to pay hospital bills no matter if you pay the deductAble for your doctor or not. I was not aware that there was an extra charge because of the new year, because when I gave birth to my son they didn't charge this fee. I understand now why I haven't asked questions on here before, because people act as though you are stupid. I have tried working with the office. I was not aware that I could just deliver a baby without a doctor, and I guess I was more concerned about he prenatal care that I'm missing out on and wanted to know if any other mom had been through this. I will say again for the 100000000 time I'm not trying to have a baby for free, I was simply thrown into this global billing and had not ever seen it before. The doctors won't take parcel payments I've tried that. I just wanted advice about where to go from here not people telling me I'm missing information or I should have been paying because I've tried that.

No one treated you like you were stupid; they only asked more questions to understand your situation. Although that is the risk you run when you ask a question on the internet.

Other than that, if you aren't able to meet that deductible and have to pay out of pocket at the hospital you may be able to talk to someone at the hospital about a list of prices when it comes to delivery and your stay. There may be things that they offer that you can refuse that would cut your bill.

angrox3 · January 2015

People making me sound like I want something for nothing is making me seem stupid. I could have cancelled my insurance when I found out I was pregnant and got Medicaid and got it all for free but I didn't. I went to talk to the hospital the day my doctor told me he wouldn't see me anymore and they said to apply for Medicaid now, but chances of me getting it before the baby came was slim. I hate that paying for insurance isn't enough. I pay 600 a month for insurance, 25 a visit at the obgyn. Now they want this 2000 just for my doctor. I will be getting billed separate for the hospital stay. It's very stressful to say the least

dreemkin84 · January 2015

We were trying to give you other options: talking to insurance, borrowing, ect. It sounds like you just don't like what you are hearing.

So all i can offer now is a "good luck".

junebugjam · January 2015

No one is being rude or making you sound stupid, but you do seem like you're unaware of what your actual insurance benefits are, which is a problem. Most people pay monthly for their insurance and have deductibles to meet also. You are not alone in that. But you're asking what to do about your doctor not working with you and the simple answer is to find a way to pay it because that's what your insurance and your doctor require. Like others have said, just showing up at the hospital, while it is an option, is going to cost you a lot more than $2000. There is no magic trick we can give you to make it less expensive.

anxiousmommy85 · January 2015

It sounds as though you're in the same boat as my sister-in-law; is your insurance by any chance one of the plans created by the Affordable Healthcare Act? She's had to pay out of pocket for all her prenatal expenses to meet her deductible and then had to start all over again starting this month because it resets in the new year. Regardless, insurance and provider problems on top of health and financial concerns sounds incredibly stressful. Your insurance company should have someone who can give you better advice since they'll know what they cover. Also, you might ask for copies of your medical records and the office's payment policies. With such a large deductible, you should have had more heads up than November (mine were talking to me at the end of my first trimester about my deductible and how much I had to pay per month to meet it in time), and it doesn't sound, from your description like received that? The office cannot withhold your records from you and the policy might help to a) clear up any questions you have in the event you missed something earlier in your care or b) aid your insurance company in figuring out what's going on. Good luck.

Ecarabeo217 · January 2015

Ok...not to stir more crap up, but he reason I suggested getting the insurance company involved is because something doesn't sound like it's on the up & up with your doc's office. Global billing is how all OB insurance billing works. And it all gets billed at the end of the pregnancy at the time of delivery. There shouldn't be a copayment except at the beginning of the pregnancy...it's usually just a one-time fee. Of course, the deductible will apply every year, but individual office visits are not billed every time you see the doc. All your prenatal labs, etc should have gone towards your deductible. May not have covered it, but will apply. Refusing to take you at 38 weeks because of financials borders on patient abandonment and is illegal. Your insurance should be able to intervene. If you show up at the hospital, of course someone will take care of you. And the hospital will still bill your insurance (as will the doc on call that sees you) and this current year's deductible will apply, but you will be covered. That isn't the point. It just sounds like the doc's office is doing something shady. I'm an OB...this is why I tell you this

emilyz320 · January 2015

We had to meet our deductible for 2014 and will have to meet it again for 2015 so that doesn't sound unusual, that is how every insurance company works (as far as I know anyway!) It sucks to pay every month and then have a deductible, but thus is life I guess! We also have a copay for the hospital. But, the billing office called me right away when I was first pregnant to let me know about and plan for all these things. I also didn't have to prepay my deductible, that sounds very strange. I paid every bill I got after each procedure until the deductible was met, not a lump sum.

twinklymama · January 2015

angrox3 said:
People making me sound like I want something for nothing is making me seem stupid. I could have cancelled my insurance when I found out I was pregnant and got Medicaid and got it all for free but I didn't. I went to talk to the hospital the day my doctor told me he wouldn't see me anymore and they said to apply for Medicaid now, but chances of me getting it before the baby came was slim. I hate that paying for insurance isn't enough. I pay 600 a month for insurance, 25 a visit at the obgyn. Now they want this 2000 just for my doctor. I will be getting billed separate for the hospital stay. It's very stressful to say the least

Reading through this thread, OP, you jumped VERY QUICKLY to claiming people, who were trying to help you, were being rude and making you feel stupid. That is not how it comes across to me. It sure seems like they were actually trying to be helpful.

From the very beginning of my OB care, I was given an estimate of how much my out of pocket expense was going to be for my global prenatal care. I knew when it was due, and they set up an arrangement for me to make payments before it was due. Even if they hadn't offered a payment plan, I would have been saving monthly to put toward the balance-to-be, knowing that it was going to be that estimated amount. That's my responsibility, not theirs.

By intending to change insurance in the middle of a pregnancy, I would figure that I would have to start all over on a deductible, new year or not. Again, this is where I would have been setting aside the money (you can always "make payments" to your savings account).

Sounds like you need to start coming up with some money if you want to continue to see them, but them saying that they won't see you sounds like abandonment to me. If you talk to that office again, you might bring that up, as the person you have already dealt with may either be bluffing or not know the policy around dismissing a patient.

Sounds stressful, indeed. Good luck.

SaraMGood · January 2015

Is this a hospital? Or a private ob gyn? If it's a private type business then they can deny you services but a hospital shouldn't be able to. Even for prenatal. I know it's not ideal but is there a different place you can switch to to finish out your pregnancy?

Sorry you're going through this at the end of your pregnancy and I hope you can get it worked out.

usmcwife89 · January 2015

Am I the only one who's OB doesn't do global billing? They submit to my insurance after each visit.

Also isn't there some type of law that says they cannot turn you away even if they know you have no means to pay? There's a sign hanging in my OB that says something to that extent. It by no means you aren't responsible for the bill, just that they won't turn you away for having a bill and not being able to pay your copay.

EDIT TO FIX: the sign actually says they will send you provide you with alternate care/send you to a provider that will see you without paying.

Idk something to that extent.

crispywheats · January 2015

My OB submits to insurance each visit as well.

boxerrrmama85 · January 2015

This use to be my playground... And another butthurt newb who didn't see all the good advice

misshart00 · January 2015

Mine also bills after each visit. And about a week later, I get an EOB from my insurance. It's really helpful to know if I'll get a bill soon.

mommadozer · January 2015

My OB bills all of the ultrasounds and lab work in the meantime and I only paid for my first visit.

OP, sorry but, stop jumping to conclusions that we are posting rude responses. It's not the truth. We cannot solve your problems without asking additional questions, especially insurance/billing questions of all things. Insurance was a complicated topic to start with and now with Obamacare it is even worse, with so many different plans available now especially high deductible, it's hard to simply answer.

Seriously, call your insurance company to try and get assistance on the next best steps. They know the laws and regulations and can refer you to other in network OBs. You cannot simply just go unseen. It would be very unfornate if your LO is under distress but, you are not being checked. This whole $2000 fee sounds like you are part of a high deductible plan that must be fulfilled. My doctors office does allow patients to establish payment plans throughout and after pregnancy to accomdate. Hope something gets worked out.

RMSteele · January 2015

Not sure if OP Is even still around but you can still apply for Medicaid this late in the game if you truly need it. When you apply for Medicaid for pregnant women they can (and often do) approve dates retroactively. That said, if you have any outstanding balance with your OB and they don't accept Medicaid, you will still be responsible for paying that debt.

ryanmichael1208 · January 2015

I skipped over a lot of this thread, seems like a lot of bs... From one who lost insurance & then found out I was pregnant (after open enrollment - i wasn't getting enough from unemployment to be penalized during taxes opted to hold off w/ insurance until I found a new job) I found out about state medicaid. Seek out a local state run facility that takes medicaid. Call them & find out how they can help! If nothing else they can work w/ you to pay the bills, but you're going to have to pay. I'm not trying to sound harsh, but this involves an innocent bystander who deserves you giving him the best care.

Best of luck ☺️

CGOODPAS · January 2015

I had a similar issue at the beginning of my pregnancy. DH's insurance said they would not cover the pregnancy but would cover then baby after it was born leaving us scrambling to try and find alternate medical coverage. Open enrollment had already ended. My ob/gym saw me before we had it fixed but I was warned that I would have to pay half the cost of labor and delivery at my next visit if I didn't have insurance. (Which was around 3,000 I think). I was able to get medicaid coverage for the baby so it worked out. I didn't think I would be able to get it either though.

I know it is super stressful and at this stage it would be even more so. It didn't take very long to get approved so hopefully you won't have to wait in limbo very long.

In the meantime have you looked at other ob/gyns? I live in Indiana and the state offer automatic coverage to pregnant women even while their application is pending but the catch is using specific doctors and clinics. I'm not sure what the details are in your state. I also checked with the hospital I planned to deliver at about setting up payment plans in case I wasn't able to qualify for Medicaid so I had a back up plan in place.

Best of luck

ryanmichael1208 · January 2015

Forgot to add - when applying for state medicaid due to pregnancy they try & get coverage for mom & unborn baby w/in 2 weeks or less. I know it's stressful. My state has an online site in which I checked every day & I even called. There shouldn't be an issue getting approved. If you pay out of pocket they may pay you back for appointments/expenses back to the date you set on the application in which you started needing coverage.

starally · January 2015

What I have known if you go to a hospital and don't have a doctor , whatever doc on site will delivery your baby... The government will pay for medical expenses for the baby and give the baby insurance until u find insurance for your baby... You will have a bill for yourself if your are not covered.. Now what u can do also is call the hospital and delivery department and tell them what u are going thru and then see what they say to you... Wish you best of luck and don't stress it... There is always a way

schnitz9 · January 2015

OP could you do me a favor and quote who said you want something for nothing and also quote who was rude? I would like to see what you are talking about. With all the butthurt lately I'm a bit confused what all these women are talking about. Use the quote button and show me.

Ecarabeo217 · January 2015

junebugjam said:
What's the reason for paying the $2000? Deductible? Some info is missing here. In any case, you go to the hospital and SOMEONE will deliver the baby. But there will be bills associated with that too. I'd call your doctor and work out some kind of payment plan. You can't just expect to not pay what you owe.

I realize I'm not the OP but the last line of the very first response she got made it sound like she was "expecting not to pay what she owes".

Timfany1 · January 2015

I'm not understanding how this 2000 popped up two months before due date, after my first prenatal appt at next appt I was given total costs and my part of payment and because baby is due in 2015 the amount was for 2015 and was told might have to pay more if deductible goes up sure enough for 2015 it went up another 500 so paying two more payments but was aware of costs since second prenatal, unless you just got this insurance

Angeldcf · January 2015

I cannot understand you.

tinyhumantoe · January 2015

Angeldcf said:

I cannot understand you.

Haha, I tried so hard to understand. ::waves white flag::

j3ssicalee · January 2015

Could you deliver at a state hosiptal? I know there is one in my area (Indianapolis). You may not get the pampered treatment but from my experience it's free. I know someone in a similar boat and they were in and out the next day but had a safe delivery!

katecham · January 2015

angrox3 said:
People making me sound like I want something for nothing is making me seem stupid. I could have cancelled my insurance when I found out I was pregnant and got Medicaid and got it all for free but I didn't. I went to talk to the hospital the day my doctor told me he wouldn't see me anymore and they said to apply for Medicaid now, but chances of me getting it before the baby came was slim. I hate that paying for insurance isn't enough. I pay 600 a month for insurance, 25 a visit at the obgyn. Now they want this 2000 just for my doctor. I will be getting billed separate for the hospital stay. It's very stressful to say the least

I'm sorry. Call your insurance and get the exact details of your plan. My hospital and dr wanted to charge me but our plan has a maternity waiver that covers maternity care 100%. I had to actually get a benefits book from the insurance, read/highlight/take notes and then confirm with insurance. Another issue we had was that the hospital I deliver at is not the hospital that their billing department uses (hospital system with 7 hospitals around the area), so my insurance company had to call and confirm that the hospital I'm using is actually in network because the billing address and actual address were different.

Also definitely report the doctor and hospital to your insurance. It is ridiculous that they would risk your health and your baby's health at 38 weeks over a deductible. Insanity.

Erichandme · January 2015

I've dealt with a lot of insurance issues during this pregnancy and I would suggest calling the insurance that you currently have and asking what doctors are in their network and what the coverage is for prenatal and delivery. I know how frustrating this is because I had to switch insurance towards the end of this pregnancy and it caused a lot of stress. It really is best to work from the insurance side first because then you have your back side covered.

Krista

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