Cost saving tips for expecting mothers

Editor: admin on Jun 06,2017

Becoming pregnant is one of most joyous times of life. It is also a time to take extra care of oneself and start thinking about varied aspects of motherhood, such as cost of maternity care. Following the below listed tips will help you avoid exorbitant bills.

Fully understand your insurance

It is important to get your insurance sorted out at the very beginning of pregnancy so that you can focus all your attention and energies on the unborn baby. Check the provider networks available in your plan and then begin gathering a list of hospitals, doctors, and pediatricians. Get acquainted with the precise benefits, copays, and deductibles covered by your insurance. It will help you understand the items that you will be paying for, and thus avoid unnecessary tests and procedures not covered in your insurance plan.

A copay refers to a fixed sum that you have to pay after getting a particular type of healthcare service. Copay charges for doctor visits are nominal, while those of emergency room visits can be often costly.

A deductible refers to the amount that you need to pay first before your health insurance commences payment. For instance, a deductible of $700 means that you have to pay $700 of your health care cost and only then the insurance will pay the additional charges, if any. Deductibles are not applicable for preventive care as it is free.

Be aware of everything that is covered

Newborn and maternity care is one of the ten mandatory health care benefits covered by the Affordable Care Act. It may however be noted that the specifics of coverage under different categories have not been elucidated by the Department of Health and Human Services. Hence, it can differ across insurance plans and states. So understand the policies of your home state and all that is covered and not covered; it as important as preparing the budget for maternity expenses.

Always ask if tests are essential

It is vital to check out the costs of ultrasounds, vitamins, lab work, prescription medications, labor and delivery, hospital stays, nursing or midwife services, visits to the OB/GYN or your primary care doctor, and newborn care, and whether they are covered by the insurer.

Doctors usually ask for random tests without knowing if you can afford it or not. So ask the doctor if the procedures and tests are absolutely essential. If you want a second opinion about his/her advice, then go for it.

Research the birthing choices

More than half of the deliveries in America are hospital births. Its costs can differ greatly as per the coverage provided by the insurer and the cost variations between hospitals. Verify what incentives are offered by hospitals covered under your insurance before making the choice of a specific hospital.

Home births cost about 40 percent of hospital births as it does not come with sundry expenditures such as additional tests and procedures. Midwifes may settle for a price that you can afford.

It is vital to note that women with high-risk pregnancies should always go for a hospital birth.

The uninsured should not give up!

Women who do not have health insurance need not worry. You can always negotiate a price with hospitals or birth clinics. Home births can be quite costly if you do not have insurance. Happy motherhood!

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