A Guest Blog Post by Beth Rush, the Mindfulness Editor at Body+Mind.
Pregnancy changes your life long before your baby arrives. While you’re daydreaming about decorating your child’s nursery and picking potential names, you’ll also need medical care. Discover which charges you might receive and what new parents should know about navigating hospital bills after birth. You’ll feel prepared for what’s ahead, which creates more space to enjoy this new chapter of your life.
Medical Bills for Prenatal Care
Accessing affordable health care is a significant challenge for many pregnant individuals. It’s one of the reasons why only 76.4% of people get early and adequate prenatal care after finding out that they’re pregnant. You’ll attend many appointments with your doctor if you have a low-risk pregnancy, which typically includes ultrasounds:
- Every four weeks through week 28.
- Every two weeks until you’re 36 weeks along.
- Once a week until you give birth.
Screening and diagnostic testing may also be part of your pregnancy experience. It depends on your preexisting conditions or any complications that may arise with your fetus. Genetic testing, bloodwork for gestational diabetes and diagnostic tests for abnormal fetal developments are a few you might undergo if your doctor recommends.
The average cost of prenatal care and delivery can seem high due to the standard amount of appointments. Pregnant people pay an average of $2,854 out-of-pocket for around $18,865 in medical invoices.
There are different payment options available to make your pregnancy-related charges more manageable. Instead of swiping a debit card at a check-out desk, 85% of patients pay bills electronically after hospital appointments. Talk with your medical provider to discuss arranging payments throughout your pregnancy so your debt isn’t overwhelming.
Charges Associated With Hospital-Based Childbirth
People who have their babies in hospitals often find the financial aspect confusing after giving birth. The first surprise is the distribution of expenses. Pregnant people and their babies count as two separate patients, so you’ll receive two sets of bills in the months after your family goes home together. Those often include:
- A bill for you.
- A bill for your baby.
- At least one provider bill, though there can be others if more than one doctor assists you during your stay.
- An anesthesiology bill if you decide to use pain management medication while you’re in labor or need a C-section.
Talk with your insurance company before your hospital stay to get more information about what you can expect. If you’ve already met that limit, a representative can explain your deductible, which services they’ll cover and if you’ll owe separate deductible rates on your baby’s account. Navigating hospital bills after birth will seem less confusing if you have already taken notes on your insurance company’s feedback.
Typical Fees for Postpartum Care
You have a few options once you start receiving your hospital dues in the mail. If the fees are manageable, you can pay in person, online or send a check. Negotiating hospital bills after birth is also common. New parents who discuss their financial capabilities with the hospital billing department may receive an interest-free payment plan.
The department may lower your final fees if you request an itemized list of every charge. You’ll need an explanation of benefits (EOB) form before you can review the details for issues like incorrect coding or double charges. Let your insurance provider and hospital billing department know if you spot discrepancies to lower your costs.
Financial Assistance Options
Don’t forget about the possibility of financial support. Medicaid may cover your invoices if you qualify for federal or state assistance. Many hospitals also have a financial aid department that may cover your debt, depending on your financial standing.
Paying for Care Beyond Hospital
Postpartum fees extend even after your last hospital appointment. You may start seeing a therapist once you settle in at home. Postpartum hormone fluctuations last around two weeks or longer as your body adjusts to your loss. They can help you process your emotions so you don’t feel alone.
Your postpartum journey may even include holistic services. Workshops and retreats, like those offered by Nurture Well, combine self-care, education and spiritual nurturing for people recovering from giving birth. Comprehensive support can make your postpartum experience more manageable.
Navigating Fees After Pregnancy Loss
Some parents have to navigate postpartum fees after a miscarriage or stillbirth. Those can be the most confusing because you’re also grieving. The statements for medical or surgical management may arrive in addition to debt for ambulance rides, emergency helicopter usage, medical provider fees and anesthesiology expenses.
There are a few things you can do to help yourself before or during that situation. Talk with your health care insurance company to discuss which miscarriage-related services they cover. You can also connect with support groups after pregnancy loss.
Organizations like Untold Stories arrange care packages and events to bring people together as they process their loss. As you meet others who have shared similar experiences, you’ll gain insight into how they’re coping and how they handled their associated medical fees.
Manage Your Pregnancy-Related Finances With Less Stress
Navigating hospital bills after birth or during your pregnancy shouldn’t feel like a burden. Once you know more about standard invoicing procedures, what your insurance covers and how you can get financial assistance, you may manage the cost of prenatal care and delivery more easily.
About the Author: Beth Rush is the mindfulness editor at Body+Mind. She writes about mental health during pregnancy and beyond. She also shares tips for coping with c-PTSD, PCOS, and climate anxiety. Subscribe to the Body+Mind Newsletter for more posts by Beth.
Nurtured Well is a boutique women’s mental health practice located conveniently off of the Charles Street exit of 695. We also offer on-line care throughout Maryland.