How much are you paying for the birth?

ForeverEverAfter · February 2015

I live in Canada so the midwife/hospital is all paid for. I paid $100 last time for a private room (my insurance only covers semi private). This time I'll also pay for a doula, probably $4-500.

njlasalle · February 2015

My insurance covers 100% so we won't have to pay a penny. I live in RI and had never of anyone having to pay so much if they had insurance.

Paulina1986 · February 2015

Wow I'm in the UK and we don't pay nothing...I am actually shocked to know you could be billed for having a baby.

mrsnadiamitchell · February 2015

I didn't realize that in America you have to pay to give life!
New Zealand its all covered by the government?

Kayciejoe56 · February 2015

Just got my estimated bill from my dr. Only going to end up paying 225$ out of pocket. Still have to wait and see how much the hospital will be, but with no copays or deductibles and only owing 10% hospital bill shouldn't be too bad. So glad I switched to an awesome plan at the start of the year! My old plan would have left me paying thousands.

uluwehi22 · February 2015

Wow! Seeing how everyone's cost varies a lot on here, I better check on how much I'll be paying out of pocket. I know with my D&C last year I paid ~$100 out of pocket for everything and when my husband had shoulder surgery done he said he paid minimal. I will have to call on Tuesday and see what they say.

LittleMommaBlueHen · February 2015

I have a $20 copay and I will have to pay copays for any labwork and U/S done. We picked our insurance partially based on it's maternity coverage as it has been our biggest health related expense over the past 5 years.

ellebxo26 · February 2015

I am so jealous of you ladies who pay less than $1000 to nothing.

jankam · February 2015

Nothing. In Canada and covered under our provincial health care plan. You only have to pay for additional things like if you want a private room ect.

Unknown · February 2015

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apayne0731 · February 2015

In Canada everything is covered by my provincial m

ccook83 said:
WOW I had no idea it was like that in the US, or what the costs were like. I live in Canada so it's completly covered I had no idea how lucky we are! I have additional insurance through my work (that they pay for) on top of what you are entilled to just by living here so I also get some extra's like a private room, my choice of a doctor or a midwife, as well as a doula. I can't imagine what all those things would cost...

I am in Canada too. I couldn't imagine having to budget in thousands of dollars just to give birth. I live in a small town and all the rooms are private. So fortunate to live here.

ReneeJ2011 · February 2015

$1087 is my total for the doctor and I work in L&D at the hospital I will be delivering at so the whole hospital bill will be written off.

LoveLee85 · February 2015

That's it, I already loved visiting Canada...looks like I'm moving there! LOL jk

All joking aside, Canada has great people and it's so gorgeous. Seriously won't mind packing up and calling it home someday. My parents and sister would have to come with. LOL

missmandah · February 2015

I'm Canadian and it's completely covered by OHIP. I couldn't imagine having to pay that kinda money.

Melzig76 · February 2015

I will end up paying about $1200 including hospital & dr. My total c/s bill will be about $39,000 considering all is normal. Thank goodness for insurance.

jyoga87 · February 2015

My insurance pays 80%. The only number I've been given so far is $3800 for global OB fee for prenatal visits and delivery, which does not include u/s, lab work, CVS testing, prenatal hospital visits. So I'm not sure exactly yet what the final figure will be.

caityrose · February 2015

For those in the uk and Canada I think it's important to realize you are paying for those services over time with your high taxes. Same with your schooling. It's a different system. Each has their own benefits and downfalls.

For me I have tricare. While the cost of my healthcare is free. If it wasn't free, my husbands salary would be higher. It's just dealt with differently. I'm grateful for it now and would prefer the tricare over the headache but slightly higher salary.

bpv101283 · February 2015

I'm already paying $320 a month to insurance and work for a big corporation. I would gladly pay that in taxes if it meant universal healthcare. The downside I see every time I am in the UK - once a year - is on the news they are constantly talking about the NHS being underfunded and everyone I come in contact with complaining about it. My FIL said they were canceling routine surgeries because of being understaffed. It's a hot political button right now. Also my counterparts at my company make a similar salary to me, but everything is far more expensive IMO than in the US. From what I understand, Canada's system is nearly perfect. But they have far less lower income people that are not paying taxes than US & UK. Probably because their public programs are much better. More people paying into a system means much more money for that system. I know I wouldn't be able to afford to live in a Canadian metro, it seems the cost of living is much higher up there. I am all for universal care though, and think it would be possible here if corporations paid their fair share.

I think in the US, the deductible is what matters. Mine was $1500 and so I had to automatically pay $3000 because my pregnancy started in September 2011 and ended in May 2012. Plus 20% copay. This time it's all in 2015 and there are new rules so im hoping it's different. Also I got 2 lactation consultant visits, I think the rule is more. My insurance covers six now.

indogbeersiveonlyhadone · February 2015

I'm covered by the Veterans Affairs and I won't have to pay anything, for anything during this pregnancy (ER visits, labs, OB appts, even prescription medication, birthing) Once the baby is born, he or she will be added to DH's insurance, because the baby will only be covered till November 1, while I'm still referred to an outside Maternty Dr.
Bein covered by the VA has it's good and bad aspects, but being covered 100% is amazing.

Unknown · February 2015

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kaylaef · February 2015

ForeverEverAfter said:
I live in Canada so the midwife/hospital is all paid for. I paid $100 last time for a private room (my insurance only covers semi private). This time I'll also pay for a doula, probably $4-500.

I'll be getting the private room but no doula. Happy to be Canadian!

kory03 · February 2015

Thankfully I'm covered under my fathers federal employed insurance until I turn 26 (right after the baby is born!) 100% coverage

Kiek · February 2015

Not sure. My husband is getting out of the marines half way through my pregnancy and we're waiting to see if we'll still be covered. If we aren't I'm planning on a home birth with a midwife and doula. If I go with my home birth plan the midwife and doula charge 4000. Honestly I hope the home birth works out. I would love that!

apayne0731 · February 2015

Madisonpenny said:

caityrose said:

For those in the uk and Canada I think it's important to realize you are paying for those services over time with your high taxes. Same with your schooling. It's a different system. Each has their own benefits and downfalls.

For me I have tricare. While the cost of my healthcare is free. If it wasn't free, my husbands salary would be higher. It's just dealt with differently. I'm grateful for it now and would prefer the tricare over the headache but slightly higher salary.

Right, except even citizens who are not paying our high taxes I.e welfare also benefit from our 'free' health care. Also... What's considered high taxes? In Ontario (and the rate is different across the country) it's 13% on goods and services (which everyone regardless, pay) so even though it's 50% more or so then what you would pay in the US for taxes, I do still think your further ahead in Canada. We're not facing $2000-$10,000 hospital bills before our insurance kicks in their portion. Also, I believe, and I may be wrong, but most of your insurance deductibles are insanely high, from what I've seen and so is your monthly rates...

We also don't pay for any doctors visits, ultrasounds (unless you want 3D) or blood work during our pregnancies, whereas many of you will face a bill at every visit.

Even though we have higher taxes in Canada, I don't think the taxes we pay individually even add up to how much it costs to have a baby in the US.

Kind of an interesting story though... when I was in the hospital with my first, a couple showed up and had their baby right away, they were from the US. Right after the baby was born and the nurse advised them that they would be invoiced for the delivery because they weren't citizens, they packed up the baby and left the hospital in the middle of the night.

So although we pay taxes, I think a lot of people come to Canada thinking they will get free care but end up paying a bill that goes towards our healthcare system.

kissthebunny · February 2015

There's really no need to argue over which health care system is better... Likely we are all citizens by birth...so it's not like we chose Canada/US for the health care system in particular, so isn't it silly to defend something you didn't really choose? Regardless whether it's paid through payroll or insurance or taxes, if it's affordable care, it's great! That's just what I think.

booksandcleverness81 · February 2015

Tricare is pretty great, although they don't cover midwives or doulas, which I thought was too bad. But, if you're not paying for anything else then I guess paying for a midwife is understandable. Hubby is only in another 3 1/2 yrs and this is our first, so we'll see if I'm popping another one out before we run out of time and good insurance!

nixelina · February 2015

Wow! That is a lot of money.im so glad here in Canada we have free health care and, I don't have to pay anything.

anamoses · February 2015

I'm gojng to not complain anymore. We're looking at 1200 total but that includes some really expensive testing since I'm older. Just took a $2700 DNA test and my copay was about $200

nanako0 · February 2015

I will have to pay $500 per admission for hosital room & board plus $30 per day for delivery services. All other pre and post natal care is covered 100%.

Onward · February 2015

I will pay $6000. Such a difference between plans, I think I paid $200 for my son in 2011 at a different job.

travelissa · February 2015

I live in Morocco and pay equivalent of $50 each visit with ultrasound plus any lab work is charged separately. My insurance will refund 80% of that, but here, all costs are cash up front and reimbursed (if lucky) later. You should see the insurance forms I have to fill out each visit with stamps and signatures from every doctor/pharmacist/etc. It's a nightmare.

For the actual birth, believe it or not, only cesareans are reimbursed so a huge amount of the Moroccan population do an opted c-section. Some doctors here ONLY perform scheduled c-sections, including mine so I'm currently looking for a new doctor.

Natural birth will all be paid out of pocket but that's what I'm hoping for. Supposedly, it won't cost me more than $1000 if everything goes ok.

Also interesting, hospitals have NOTHING here...not even the Rh factor shot....I have to buy it and bring it with me when I go into labor!! I also have to bring my own pads, disposable undies, any cream or ointment I want, and everything baby will need!!

Even the hospital gown is only given to you for the actual delivery room, you labor in your own clothes, change into the gown in delivery room and then have to change back into your own clothes as soon as baby is out!!!

Really nervous about all this, but glad an experienced American walked me through it all so I know what to expect!! Ahhh!!!

Unknown · February 2015

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bpv101283 · February 2015

I believe people should have free healthcare. But if you don't have $500 - $1000 in your bank account than you probably can't afford a baby either. Just sayin.

shelbydd · February 2015

I prepayed the obgyn which was $1200 after insurance. Only thing we will have to worry about now is the hospital bill.

Unknown · February 2015

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smrdaniels · February 2015

I will owe $400 to my ob for all visits and delivery. $300 to hospital.

momerath83 · February 2015

I pay $130 a month for my insurance but it's a high deductible plan ($4,000). So I will be paying $4,000 and 10% of any costs over that amount. My OB's fee is only $2,100, but I know my hospital stay, my epidural, and my baby's stay will cost well over $15,000. So my estimate is I will end up paying about $5500-6000 total.

lisadoninelli · February 2015

When I had my son all prenatal care and everything in the hospital was covered by our insurance. However we did have to pay the hospital copay which was $350 per night so we paid $700 all in. When I got the explanation of benefits in the mail the total billed was $30,000 for everything. Couldn't imagine paying anything close to that.

bpv101283 · February 2015

Madisonpenny said:

bpv101283 said:

I believe people should have free healthcare. But if you don't have $500 - $1000 in your bank account than you probably can't afford a baby either. Just sayin.

Are you sure you want to go down this road?

Go down what road?

ebrosten33 · February 2015

We will pay a 10 co pay and everything is 100% so stay doctors and all ultra sounds blood work is covered! We don't have a deductible Until 2018 and when that hits its 200 for our family! Premiums we pay about 15 a month! We live in Montana and my husband works for a union so we have great insurance!

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