What are pregnancy and child birth expenses in US (Chicago)?

Question

Can anybody let me know what are the total expenses incurred on pregnancy and child birth in USA, or in particular in Chicago area? I have a medical insurance for my wife including the 80% pregnancy expenses, but the maximum limit is $2500. I want to know if that would be sufficient or not, and how much would I have to pay. Also, if expenses are more than that I may go for some other higher valued insurance. Please guide me in detail.

Answer 1

If your max out of pocket on your insurance is $2500, then the most you will have to pay is $2500. Most likely that will be the amount due, hospitals charge for everything. Keep in mind though that the family max out of pocket is probably around $5000, and while a perfectly healthy baby's hospital stay is only $2000 (so $400 cost to you), if you have a preemie or any health concerns you could owe the full out of pocket.

Likewise if you have a preemie in december you will pay the full $2500 this year and the full $2500 for 2009 for your baby. Complicated. :)

Answer 2

An average Ob visit is about a $100 and she'll need about 12 or so. Plus at least 2 ultrasounds, about $50 each, less if you can get it done in the doctors office. Then you have the cost of birth. To give birth to my son the hospital bill was about $4000 not including my sons portion of the bill. If there are any sort of complications your costs increase. She might need more ultrasounds, she might need to stay at the hospital longer, she might need a c-section, the baby might need neonatal intensive care. Ask your insurance for a copy of your certificate of coverage and go through it carefully and look at exactly what they cover related to pregnancy, and what the out of pocket limits are, and what the insurance payout limits are.

Your child would have to be added to your current policy, but it would go back to the date of their birth and pay for those expenses. Are you sure that your maximum yearly benefits are 2500? That seems very unlikely. Are you sure that's not your maximum yearly out of pocket expense or your yearly deductible?

If it is your deductible that would mean after you reached that amount your insurance would pay the 80% of expenses and you would be responsible for the remaining 20% (and the original $2500.) If it were your maximum yearly out of pocket expense than that would mean everything after your portion totals $2500 worth of expenses they will begin paying 100% instead of 80%. If you can't find the answer on your certificate of coverage, or no longer have one- you can either call the number on your insurance card or talk to human resources at work (that's what they get paid for.)

If your maximum yearly benefits really are $2500 then how you increase your coverage depends on your options at work. If your employer offers better coverage, and allows you to switch at any time, then you can do that. Otherwise you can purchase private supplemental insurance (although this is usually pretty expensive). I'd also ask human resources about whether or not your company offers flexible spending account for medical cost.