Advice on Having a Baby W/o Insurance

Hi J. -

Here is some info re: home birthing in case you decide to go that route:

http://www.tampabaybirthnetwork.com/

Blessings and best wishes,

N.

I am in a temporary job with no benefits, i applied to Blue Cross Blue Sheild. No matter who i work for, it stays. I hardly go to the dr so i got a high deductible plan. Then after my out of pocket reaches $1500, they pay 100%. They have all different variations, a plan that works for you. If you are in Lee County, i can recommend an agent (no fee), just there to help. I got a dental plan also. My doctor is in this plan so i didnt have to switch. I had United Healthcare before.
My daughter, i got into Healthy Kids. My thinking is you apply, they accept you... then the plan is for you! Dont worry about income levels. It is not for poor poor people. It is for all sorts of people. I took my daughter to a local dr and was very very impressed. She got great care. Went to a local dentist also, they are not only Healthy Kids doctors. They accept all sorts of plans. Hope this helps!
Hope this helps.

you can call around, but, there are a lot of doctors that have a global fee set p for self-pay patients, meaning they have a set amount that they charge you that has to b paid up by usually the 28th week of your pregnancy, normally about $7000-8000. Those charges normally cover the delivery and the hospital stay barring any complications as well as regular check-ups for you. The only thing I don;t think is covered are ultrasounds, but those are about $300 a piece. Good luck!

My sister in law had my nephew 3 years ago without insurance. She went to the hospital ahead of time to make payment arrangements. Because she was self pay and paid in cash her cost was substantially lower than it would have been. Doctors and hospitals charge inflated rates to insurance companies because they know insurance companies are going to cut the rates and pay a percentage. Always tell your doctor, peditrician etc that you are self pay as many offer reduced rates. Don't let not having insurance be your deciding factor if you really want another child and can swing it financially. I am 40 now even though I have three beautiful children I regret not giving my husband another as my oldest two are from my first marriage. Best of luck to you. B

I had health insurance with all my babies but I can vouch for Labor of Love. I went to the Lakeland center since I'm in Brandon and it was closer and they are the best!! I love the midwives and the birth assistants. Even their secretary Kathy is super sweet. I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants a natural (drug free) birth.

I know what you mean. When I had my son 8 years ago, it was a $150 copayment.Now we have a 70/30, which means that the hospital pretty much nickels and dimes the insurance company, then I have to to cough up 30% of the cost. No idea what it would be, which is why we've hesitated ourselves. All I know is I had outpatient surgery with an 80/20 and that was $2000 out of my pocket. I can't imagine what 48 hours in a hospital plus whatever pain management you want would cost. Not to mention all the bloodwork, the monthly doctor visits, then at the end, the weekly visits. With you close to 40, they would also test you for genetic issues, like Down's, which has a huge false-positive rating. Then if it came back positive you'd have to spend a huge amount of money for a specialized ultrasound to check for problems. Furthermore, I read an article not too long ago about how hospitals really stick it to the uninsured, because they have no insurance company to say, "No, that's too much. We'll only pay xx amount of money for that service."
Personally, I'd look into Humana One, at least temporarily, or a similiar private insurance. And then again, I'd consider that if I didn't have insurance neither would my baby, who requires check-ups at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, then pretty much monthly until 6 months. And between visits and vaccinations, how much is all that??

I am currently going through a similar situation. My husband is self employed so we have very costly private insurance that unfortunately doesn't cover much. When we found out we were pregnant we were told we'd have to come up with about $1000 to cover the costs which was manageable. Then we found out we were having triplets and that changed everything. So, I turned to Medicaid. It is based on income, but they do count your unborn child into the expense. You can go on their website and it tells you how much you are allowed to make per month in order to qualify. You have to be pregnant already to apply. Although I am thankful for such a program since it is saving us alot of money it is a very stressful thing to go through. I spend at least 5 hours at every Doctor's visit waiting around. The staff does treat you different than at a private practice. You do get the same care however sonograms, bloodwork etc., but I will be happy when I never have to return to that clinic again.

Some hospitals have a discounted cost for labor/delivery with a payment plan for an uninsured person. Also, most hospitals will let you get on a payment plan when your bill comes through. I have a lot of medical expenses and I never pay my bill in full. Since the payment plan doesn't have interest attached to it, I would rather have my money sitting in my account earning interest. I had a $6000 MRI, and I payed $75 a month until it was payed off. If you do have some sort of insurance, double check whether an emergency related to the pregnancy would be covered. My insurance now is really good, but if I were to get pregnant, nothing is covered including if an emergency comes up. They feel, well, you are the one who got pregnant. Good luck with your decision.

I had a friend who had no insurance with her first child she was able to set something up where she paid monthly in advance not a whole lot either! I would call the local hospital that you will be using and see if can get some answers I also know you will have to pay for the epideral in advance if you where to want that but that was only like no more than $500. Good luck I hope this all works out for you!

Hi J.! We have a online business and have chosen not to have insurance. Partly because it is so expensive, but mostly because we think it's a big scam. We looked into several options after finding out that we were pregnant and found that we would be given lot's of time to pay off the pre-labor costs. Most Doctors also give great discounts for self pay patients. All said and done we payed about $7000.00 over 9 months. Not much more than if we would have been paying monthly for our insurance plan because of our circumstance. I guess it really depends on what works for you and your family. I wish you the best with your plan to add to your family.
~J.

We had 2 of our 3 kids without insurance on myself. The first we had in the hospital and even though we were quoted about $5,500 as a total, it ended up being almost $9,000 and that was with insurance on the baby. The last one I had with midwives for $3,700 and I was home with my other kids 5 hours after she was born. It was truly the most AMAZING experience of my life. Only 2 other people in the room, soft lights and music and I accidently ended up with a water birth. It was through Labor of Love in Lakeland (I know they have branches), but you might want to check into that, you won't regret it!!!

Good luck!
R.

Hi J.,

Don't give up on another blessing because of money, it may be 'cheaper' than you imagine!

A compromise between home and hospital would be a Birth Center. The out of pocket cost is approx. $3700 ($4200 with $500 deduction if payments complete by 36th week)and we have several payment plans depending upon your gestation when care begins. This fee includes all prenatal, labor and delivery and postpartum care. It includes your regular labs (bloodwork, GTT, PAP, GBS etc) the same as you would have with an OB. It also covers a course of childbirth preparation classes, breastfeeding and waterbirth classes. Additional charges would be made for sonogram, extra labs that may be necessary(most unusual) and if a visit with our OB would be required (if any thing outside of normal midwifery care should crop up, again unusual). You will benefit from excellent one to one care with two midwives and will really feel a good relationship build between you all so that when Birth Day arrives evryone is really comfortable and happy with each other making it feel a relaxed family orientated event. This same fee and benefits apply if you should wish to have a home birth. Check us out at www.laborluv.com. I am at the Tampa center but there are centers in Dunedin and Lakeland also. There are birth centers all over Florida each offering excellent care with friendly, well educated and personable midwives. I believe the rates all run around the same mark. By the way - under Birth Center and Midwifery laws - 38 is not a 'high risk' age!!

Take care, B.

University Community Hospital in North Tampa has what a lot of the other posters are talking about. I called to talk prices with them before having my daughter there. I had insurance at that time, but the gentleman I spoke to told me that a woman without insurance could have a baby for $4000 at thier hospital. Give them a call and talk to them, the person I spoke to was very helpful and very forthcoming about how much everything could cost. Good luck to you!!!

I know someone who had a second child at 49 and she said it is a lot of work. You need to consider what your wants and wishes are in life. Think, do I really want 2am feedings again. Also the risks of you and the baby. I have a friend that has recently adopted a four year old boy and they love him same as if she were to give birth. I would consider all the options. Also look at your friends. Do they have small children? Sometimes if you have a baby and your friends children are all grown they really don't want another baby around. I would sit down with a piece of paper and weigh all the pros and cons of having another child with my Husband. Then go from there. What is right for one person may not be right for antother. Good Luck in what ever you choose.

J. -

I am 38 and pregnant with our 4 th child. We have never had maternity insurance for any of our babies. I added up the cost of paying into maternity insurance vs. self pay and we actualy saved money! My regular insurance covers all of the blood work and routine tests. When you tell your doctor and the hospital that you are self-pay the costs are much much less than if they were to file insurance. Our last baby was around 8,000 total for pre-natal, labor and Delivery and all hospital costs. I never looked into those ads either, although I thought about it, just to see.

So just start putting away the money you would have spent on maternity insurance. (you should still have regualr insurance) also, if there were to be any problems, you had to have an emergency c-section or something - then usually your regular insurance will kick in and cover it.

We are expecting a healthy baby girl in October. The best of luck!

S.

I know that some OB's offer a payment plan that you can start paying now before you even start or when your pregnant. I also know that they what they call pregnancy medicaid that is not just for low income people . My friends husband owns his own business and she works at the hospital and they got it. It is wortha try ,I think you can fill out everything on line .J.

I agree with the Bev person above. When I found out I was pregnant with my first child, we had no insurance to help cover the cost and I admitt, I freaked out! that is until we found out we could pay ahead of time and amazingly enough it was not a big huge amount. (sorry I don't remember the exact amount, but I'm sure eachhospital would differ anyways) as long as we had the entire amount paid before I went into labor, we were fine. 2 day room, (mind you the 2 days didn't start til the minute the baby was delivered, no matter how long labor was) cost, nurses, drs, etc. were taken care of.
so as the one person said, make sure to let them know you are a "self pay" and you'll be just fine...
with our 2nd child we still didn't have insurance, and was given medicaid for myself and my unborn child (which lasted for the baby 1 whole year after she was born and covered any costs she had, check-ups etc.) so there are ways to get around not having insurance

now, no offense to to the person who mentioned Dave Ramsey, but I wouldn't ask him this question. He doesn't have the answer to everything...sure he has some good financial advice but he wouldn't have a clue on what to tell you with this, if he did it'd probably be exactly what you already got on here! :)

good luck on whatever you decide to do

The state of Florida provides insurance to any pregnant woman regardless of income level. My sister's most recent pregnancy was not covered by her group policy and Medicaid covered her. When I had my daughter, I had no insurance and was provided Medicaid. The only time I have seen a woman denied Medicaid (I have worked in Medical and Medical billing since I was 15) is if she was not a legal US citizen and had no SSN or Tax ID #. I was leary of Medicaid doctors, but as it turns out, I loved my OB way more than I like the one I have now. Same with my pediatrician, surprisingly better quality of care with Medicaid than with group insurance.

Good luck!

Listen to Dave Ramsey!! AM 1040 2 pm - 4pm and daveramsey.com People call all the time with this question. His advice is to start saving saving saving for the baby. He says that hospitals will actually cut your costs IN HALF if you can pay cash upfront. You just go to any hospital and negotiate with them.

Dave Ramsey can also help you get off living paycheck to paycheck. He is helping us change our financial family tree!

Now, if something strange happens it will all work out. My last pregnancy was monitored weekly and super healthy but the little turkey swallowed fluid on the way out during the C-section and ended up in NICU for a couple weeks. So we are still paying for that a year and a half later. But if something like that happens just pay what you can monthly.

I agree with the other women about Medicaid, once you are pregnant they will cover the entire pregnancy and your baby will be covered for one year. You won't be responsible for anything out of pocket. Call 1-866-762-2237 for more information. Also another option you can check out is Ameriplan they could help you save some money if you have nothing at all, we even have a Hospital Advocacy Program that will help you if you're hospitalized and your bill exceeds $2500, for more information your can visit my ____@____.com/D.

Good Luck & God Bless :)

have no fear medical insurance will be provided for you by the state! loe income or not! no private med. ins. will even cover a pregnancy started with a 12month [eriod after approval! it's concidered a pre existing condition. and if an accident happens the company still denys coverage!!! that's what happened to us with our second child. we are not low income but we dont have ins provided through any employer either.

medicaid covers the pregnancy and 6wk check up for you and upto 1 year of baby. it pays for anything/everything. i've done a midwife 2x's now through medicaid! 70% of all children born in FL are paid for with medicaid! that's according to the dept of children and families!

so good luck and best wishes!!

I am not sure about the insurance. I have known people that have chosen not to have medical insurance at all, stating that the state would pay for the baby to be born. I was mad when they had no bills at the hospital and I had expensive co-pays; the flip side to that is I had better prenatal care during the entire pregnancy.
I would advise you to look carefully at home birthing. It is probably not the right solution, due to your age. I have no qualms about it, I am all for people that can do it. But with advanced age, you are risking complications to yourself and the baby. If something goes wrong, heaven forbid, having access to immediate expert medical care and equipment is key. People will say that you can always drive to the hospital at that point or call an abulance, but when it comes to a babies health, seconds matter.

With a family of 3 going on 4, you might be eligible for Medicaid after you conceive, even with mid-size income... check with the WIC programs and Medicaid offices. Medicaid would cover your pregnancy, yourself for two months after, and your new baby for the first year. WIC would help with groceries (milk, eggs, juice, peanut butter, cereal, infant formula) during your pregnancy and the first five years (as long as you continue to qualify.) Barring that, I'd check with the doctors and hospital you want to use, and ask about discounts for cash payments and/or prepaid plans. It costs the doctors and hospitals a lot less when you pay in cash and don't use insurance, and some are willing to pass the savings on. Good luck!

Healthy start is for anyone, regardless of income and you need to find out what the guidelines are for the pregnancy medicaid. I had a good insurance when I was pregnant a little over nine months ago. And I have to pay 20% of the bill which was around $800.00 and I didn't have that kind of money at the time. And my annual date was coming up so I could get out or keep it. So I applied for pregnancy medicaid and got it and they paid 100%, if you have a baby at your age they will automatically consider you as having a high risk pregnancy just b/c you are older. If its now or never time, then I would do what ever I needed to have a baby, because its only going to get more expensive if you wait. Because the older you are the more test they want to run just to be safe. I really hope this helps, Good Luck! Oh BTW, you have to be pregnant to apply for pregnancy medicaid, the health dept. will test you for free I believe and you need that ppwk to talk with you!

I think it would be a blessing to have another child. 38 is not that old anymore, and if this is what you want then I say go for it. I had my last child at 37 and didn't have any trouble. You could always see how much a birthing center would charge. I know several people who have done this and they loved the care and support. Good Luck.