Pregnancy and plans (some information for those who may be uninsured) *UPDATE IN BLUE* - Journals

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Pregnancy and plans (some information for those who may be uninsured) *UPDATE IN BLUE*
Jul 4, 2009 at 12:24 AM
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- blg119
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First of all we are THRILLED and so thankful that God has blessed us with this little baby. We pray that everything will go smoothly and healthy. I tend to enjoy every moment of this pregnancy. I am sure there will be moments of the "ugh" but having a husband and family members who are just so excited is such a blessing and makes me feel special.

I have noticed here on cafemom that there are a lot of moms who are pregnant without insurance and they are lost as to what they need to do. I am one of those moms that has health insurance, but it's a private policy without a maternity rider. So, I will be paying out-of-pocket for all prenatal and labor and delivery. For those who are wondering, we make too much for the pregnancy medicaid and even if we were able to get medicaid, I don't think I would. But that is just me.

There are many options to make maternity care less expensive. I wanted to go a midwife/homebirth route but my husband isn't comfortable with that. I thought of a birthing center but there really isn't one close to me. So, we called several hospitals to get information on costs and procedures. We have decided to do prenatal care and L&D at Baptist Hospital, a local hospital close to me. We spoke to someone in L&D and she told us that a vaginal 3 day hospital stay for both me and baby would cost us $6500. Not bad, but she then told us that if we pay it off before we leave the hospital it will drop down to $4500. Money talks.

Hospitals and doctors hate dealing with insurance company's and usually if you are a self-paying patient, you tend to get discounts. Less work for them to do. The $4800 does not cover prenatal care. I will need to get with a midwife or OB (which I will be going with a midwife) and discuss payments with them. Again, money talks and we hope to get discounts. Something else I am so thankful for is that my husband and I already have all the money we will need for all prenatal and L&D in savings. However, heaven forbid, something should happen to go wrong my health insurance will kick in and cover said emergency. However, I pray nothing will go wrong.

So, there are a few options for the ladies who are uninsured and need options for prenatal care.

I am soooo excited and look forward to the next 9 months.

First of all, my husband is amazing. While I am at work he has been calling doctors and the hospital trying to find me a doctor. I began looking at Baptist Hospitals website and the OB/BYN's they have there. One name stood out to me. She is a doctor that my best friend had when she was pregnant with her little girl. I thought this doctor only delivered at Summit (a hospital I refuse to birth at).

My husband called and sure enough she delivers at Baptist as well. WOOHOOO!!! He explained that we will be paying cash for prenatal care and she gave us her fee. Her fee is $2000. So all together for prenatal and L&D it will cost us $6800. Praise God we have it. I am so excited! My first appointment is July 28th. I pray this baby is growing like he/she should.