1st appointment today, was so excited but they didnt tell me much?

kguitarchic18 · August 2015

had my first appointment today which was awesome. They were 45 mins late which my husband got annoyed with (i explained how its normal for all docs especially OBs to be behind) We got to see the baby and hear the heartbeat with the vaginal ultrasound. The doc was super nice but it felt like she mentioned a few things and said ill be having all these appointments, give me a packet with a lot of information and sent me on my way for my bloodtest. Then when I checked out they have a younger girl working up the insurance information? She gave me a sheet explaining the delivery cost and how much my insurance covered and how i could break it down into payments. I was like ummm ok why would I pay that now if I am changing my insurance plan in November? She was kinda shirt and bitchy (I am sure they get annoyed explaining the same thing all day everyday) but still...

Anyone more aware of the whole insurance thing and the doctors visits? My insurance is mainly a high deductible plan so it doesnt pay for much until I meet that. But i get confused everytime they try to explain my plan so I just said sure and left the office figuring I could have my husband call back with me.

All in all it was great, so happy to know there is actually a baby in there too!

herewegoagain3rd · August 2015

Basically, the doctor asks you to pay money up front for anything that insurance might not cover. If insurance covers it all they will offer a refund after the birth. I am not sure if they do it for any insurance policy or if it changes based on which one you have.

I had to pay $600 and ended up getting it all back afterwards.

SouthernCharmedLife · August 2015

Appointments are pretty uneventful during a healthy pregnancy. At least you got an ultrasound, which is nice. If you have questions, write them down for your next appointment. And get some pregnancy books.

The office personnel doesn't know that you are changing your insurance. It's really up to you to educate yourself regarding coverage, etc. you obviously don't understand your plan and that's on you. Call your insurance and have them break it down for you. Explain to the office that you will have a new on whatever date and ask them what you are supposed to pay deductible wise for just the appointments you will have before your new insurance kicks in.

TheBorg7of9 · August 2015

They told you your baby is alive! What else do you want?

kguitarchic18 · August 2015

I do know my plan, but its just confusing when my insurance tells me one thing, and then every doctor I go to tells me another, they contradict each other and dont mkae it easy to figure it out. And it just seemed odd to show me the bill for delivery saying I can pay it all up front right now, and I did mention I am changing my plan in November, and the girl didnt seem to care, she just wanted me to sign and get out.

Ready4theParty · August 2015

Doctors aren't supposed to say anything about your insurance because all plans vary. Cut your Dr some slack there isn't much they can tell you this early.

One of the reasons they show you and offer to pay up front is in case something happens and you have to make a decision in the moment. My BFF paid a lot of her stay up front. She expected to get most of her money as she's got great insurance. She was in labor for 38 hrs with a difficult birth and had to have some follow up care right after that was not covered as OB. Most of her stay was covered but she was happy she paid a lot up front. He DD is a year and they finally paid off their bills.

littleredx2 · August 2015

The OB offices in my area require that doctors services be paid in full prior to 37 weeks. The lady who handles the insurance verification will work up an estimated total amount for all appts, exams, ultrasounds and the doctors portion of delivery based on our deductible and plan and then we make payments at each appointment. I do typically get a refund of at least my deductible because the hospital always seem to bill first so the deductible is paid to them.

jonesl12 · August 2015

That's even more in depth than most initial ob visits . We don't even offer an ultrasound until 12 weeks then one again at 20. Not sure what you were expecting but it sounds bout right

pinottoparenthood · August 2015

kguitarchic18 said:

I do know my plan, but its just confusing when my insurance tells me one thing, and then every doctor I go to tells me another, they contradict each other and dont mkae it easy to figure it out. And it just seemed odd to show me the bill for delivery saying I can pay it all up front right now, and I did mention I am changing my plan in November, and the girl didnt seem to care, she just wanted me to sign and get out.

We ended up pre-paying paying almost $1000 before I had my son, and got billed for a few more thousand afterwards. They break it out into payments because not everyone can afford to pay that upfront out of pocket. They would rather that you overpay now (and insurance will reimburse you) than be unable to pay when the time comes. And trust, I have seen women in my OB's office who couldn't afford their bills and were behind on payments... awkward city. I would never want to be in that situation... or put myself in that situation.

kguitarchic18 · September 2015

Thanks ladies, I guess I just get confused with the insurance since every doctor bills different and every rep tells me something different. The girl at the obs office was young and just seemed very impatient since she probably deals with this all day. Best for me to call my insurance and talk to them and then maybe call the billing with the doctor

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1st appointment today, was so excited but they didnt tell me much?

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