Have insurance. No maternity coverage. Don't qualify for state medicaid. We want another baby but HOW?

Question

My husband and I pay for private health insurance as it's not provided through employment. It does not cover any maternity costs at all. We make just over the amount to qualify for medicaid and I've read and heard negative things about MaternityCard and don't trust it. I also want to have a "hospital birth". Is there anything out there for people stuck in the middle like us? I want to have another baby but cannot afford to pay out of pocket and can't afford better insurance. HELP!

Answer 1

Sure, you pay cash - you pre-negotiate the cost with a hospital.   Most of the time, you can get in for $5,000 for a normal birth.  Pain meds are an extra $800 or so.

You can also do a birthing center, sometimes for half of that.  It's ALMOST a hospital birth.

I'd suggest if you can't find a way to pay for the arrival of the baby, maybe the timing isn't right for a baby.  They generally cost lots and LOTS more AFTER they are born.

Answer 2

Yes, it took me two years to pay for my daughter's birth on an installment plan.  There were many times while she was screaming all night that I wanted to send her back to the doctor..lol, but seriously, just pay as you can.

Answer 3

Your options are limited.

1)  Either you or your husband get a new job that comes with health insurance that includes maternity coverage.

2)  Purchase maternity coverage via your private insurer, and wait until after the "waiting period" to get pregnant.

3)  Qualify for Medicaid

4)  Pay for the birth/prenatal care out of pocket

I know that's probably not the answer you wanted to hear, but that's the cold hard truth.

P.S.  I wouldn't trust a discount card either.

Answer 4

You already had some good suggestions but let me add,

You can contact hospitals to find out what discount they will give you if you pay in advance. In VA I have seen this reduce a bill from $5,500 to $3,500.

AHCO offers a maternity card that gets you access to the PPO network discounts.

Mymedcontrol.com will negotiate your medical bills for a fee of 30% of what they save you.

adopt or become a foster parent

Answer 5

Face it, insurance companies don't want to spend or pay out more money then they absolutely have to. While else would they not cover braces, maternity, cancer (along with any and all other diseases that truly need the medical treatment) along with vision & chiropractic care. It really is upsetting but what are we to do?

You could move to Canada? Or Europe? There are many countries that offer free health care for all. (Have you watched the movie "Sicko" by Michael Moore?~ Really sheds light on our current health care situation.)

Anyhow, even though someone here said not to trust discount type cards or plans... I must disagree. Granted, there are lots of discount plans out there that do not offer much in terms of service or savings. But that doesn't mean that every single one is the same. Just like with anything else, you have to do your own research and check things out for yourself.

The company I am speaking of is Ameriplan USA. You can view the plans & company info at http://www.mybenefitsplus.com/40398854

They are a discount health benefits company who, unlike insurance companies, actually signs contracts with doctors & dentists to offer discounted prices for their members!

As for the hospital and birth, you can go to any hospital of your choice, and as soon as the bill is $2500, they have an advocate who works directly with the hospital on your behalf to negotiate the bills and get them lowered as much as possible, usually at least 50-80%, and then set you up with an interest free payment plan to pay off the remaining amount due to the hospital.

I have personally spoke with members who have utilized the hospital part of the plan and in one case, the man had ended up in the ICU after having a heart attack. His medical bills totaled more than $250,000. After the advocate negotiated his bill, he ended up paying somewhere around $32,000.

I would strongly urge you to at least take a look at the plans and what they offer. And please call me for any extra details because I know that you will have questions.

Many of my family & friends use any one of the plans, and we all love it!

I sure hope this helps you out and good luck in whatever you decide to do!

Answer 6

Add maternity coverage to your ins. and wait until you can use it.