https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 17:05:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2249198 Wed, 29 Jul 2015 18:33:48 +0000 birdofafeather 2249198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@misolee: i did as @Bluebonnet: suggested. i had an HMO with a couple of OB options and i picked the group who had privileges at the hospital i wanted to deliver at. they weren't on call over night or over the weekend, but i felt very strongly about delivering at a particular hospital over having a particular doctor, so it worked for me. i knew going into it that there was a big chance my OB practice wouldn't deliver me, but since it was a practice of 5, i didn't get super attached to one doc as it was. as luck would have it, my preferred doctor was on call for delivery and she made it there for the last 30 minutes of delivery! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2248994 Wed, 29 Jul 2015 13:50:17 +0000 Bluebonnet 2248994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@misolee: If you are set on a particular hospital, call that hospital to see which OBs have privileges at that hospital. Then find a doctor that delivers there. Your RE may also be able to suggest an OB that delivers at the hospital you prefer.</p> <p>Most OBs have websites that list information about each doctor and their practice. This is another good place to check to see where a potential OB delivers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2248832 Wed, 29 Jul 2015 11:31:23 +0000 sunny 2248832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think providers will only deliver at specific hospitals, so you might need to find a new OB practice which delivers at the hospital you want to go to. </p> <p>The insurance company should be able to tell you the costs regardless of any official diagnosis! That's ridiculous that they won't tell you because they haven't been notified you're pregnant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2248390 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 20:03:34 +0000 BSB 2248390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@misolee: After graduating from my RE (I was mostly paying out of pocket since I have no IF coverage), when I went to my OB at 9 weeks, I was confirmed of the pregnancy and I was scheduled to see my OB's finance department. That when they told me what to expect in terms of cost. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2248383 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 19:52:06 +0000 ms.line 2248383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@misolee: They should be able to tell you if a provider is in network and what triggers your deductible/coinsurance without a pregnancy confirmation. My provider walked me through the financials before I was even allowed to schedule my first appointment, but I'm sure it varies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2248379 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 19:48:04 +0000 misolee 2248379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the advice!</p> <p>I actually did call BCBS earlier and they couldn't tell me anything exact bc they hadn't gotten an official pregnancy confirmation from an OB. With the RE visits, i have been paying the specialist Copay each time I saw them.<br /> They did say I have a deductible to be met and then everything is covered. </p> <p>I'll be seeing the OB next week (at 11 weeks) and I guess they will walk me through the financial part. Right? </p> <p>Also, I know DR relationship is important but also I'm not that particular. The hospital they only deliver at can be more than an hour away and is a huge traffic area. I have a toddler too so that factors. Last time, I had csection and a jaundiced LO so we stayed for six days! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2248111 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 14:13:47 +0000 catlady 2248111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Call BCBS and ask them. They will likely point you to an online directory with the hospitals and OBs that are covered. You should also have access to something that documents out exactly what payments you are responsible and how much they would be (probably through your HR dept). In my case, I have BCBS and I used an in-network hospital for all my prenatal care plus delivery, and it was 100% covered by insurance. I could have used a different OB or hospital that would have been partially covered and then I would have had co-pays at each visit plus I would have had to pay for part of the delivery costs. So definitely figure it out before you choose an OB. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2248086 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 13:52:48 +0000 Mamasig 2248086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As everyone has said, coverages are different for everyone. Here is how it worked for me and I had BCBS. </p> <p>After my deductible is met, I pay 20% co insurance. </p> <p>At my very first visit before I even saw the nurse I spoke with the insurance person at the doctor's office. Based on my plan, she estimated what the cost would be for basic maternity care with the doctor - usual tests, ultrasounds, visits and assuming vaginal birth. Then she took 20% of that (assumes co insurance) and divided it by 7 payments. They like you to be paid in full by the 7th month. This does not include the hospital or anesthesia (billed totally separately). </p> <p>It worked well if you have no complications. With my second I needed more monitoring/ultrasounds and I ended up paying way more. </p> <p>I would say I probably paid around $4000 for hospital and doctor visits with my second pregnancy. Maybe around $3500 with my 1st. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2248056 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 13:26:28 +0000 ms.line 2248056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My insurance plan works just like @kiddosc's, except a 10% coinsurance. I actually just signed a financial agreement with my birth center, and they estimated that my total bill (for prenatal care and delivery, after deductible and coinsurance) would be about $1,100, due two months in advance of my due date. I know women who have paid nothing and women who have paid $5,000+ - it varies wildly! Definitely contact your insurance, and make sure you're using a provider who is in-network - otherwise your costs will be astronomical.</p> <p>I actually just chatted with my insurance company today to find out about NIPT coverage, Lamaze and breastfeeding class reimbursement, and getting my breast pump - they answered all my questions very easily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2248015 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:59:01 +0000 sapphire 2248015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your insurance provider can provide you with your specifics. You should have a brochure that details maternity care.</p> <p>You can't deliver at a hospital your doctor doesn't deliver at. If particular hospital is that important to you (personally, I think the relationship with the doctor is more important), then you need a different doctor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2247986 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:17:42 +0000 jetsa 2247986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your hospital choice may be limited by your dr. Not all dr's deliver at all hospitals. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2247985 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:17:21 +0000 kiddosc 2247985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As others have said, you will need to look at the specifics of your plan to see what they cover. With my current insurance, my prenatal visits are covered at 100%, but any ultrasounds and labs are subject to deductible and then a 15% co-insurance. Delivery will be deductible and co-insurance also. </p> <p>You need to make sure that the OB you selected is in your plan. You can usually find this out online. If they are not, you will pay a lot more. The insurance plan may cover you at several hospitals, but if that OB practice only delivers at one hospital, then you would deliver there... and you should check that it's an in-network hospital for your insurance plan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2247963 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:51:59 +0000 Keybee 2247963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have BXBS and I have called them before and asked questions and they are great.<br /> A lot of what you are wondering depends on the plan that you have.<br /> You can log on to their website and look at providers and hospitals that they cover. There are 3 hospitals in my area that they cover, you'll probably have more then one option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2247952 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:42:09 +0000 BSB 2247952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would ask your HR at your work to see what plan and what its benefits are. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2247950 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:40:17 +0000 Foodnerd81 2247950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah I would call and ask directly. My prenatal care on my bcbs plan was all just one $35 copay, but the birth was different. That part was really confusing to figure out and I didn't know until I got a bill what it actually would be, though I did have an out of pocket max (which I hit). I had a choice of hospitals. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2247920 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:14:10 +0000 Anagram 2247920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These are all questions that can really only be answered by looking at your particular plan. Blue Cross and Kaiser both have hundreds of plans.</p> <p>I have BXBS and I only paid $10 for my entire prenatal care, labor and delivery, and newborn hospital stuff. $10 total.</p> <p>My friend works elsewhere and has BXBS and her company's plan is that she has to pay her OOP max fee of $6500 for her prenatal/labor and delivery/newborn care.</p> <p>Usually you can sign on online and see your individual plan, and then you can call to ask specific questions. Or do the chat online. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cost-of-prenatal-care#post-2247916 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:10:29 +0000 misolee 2247916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my first LO, I was with Kaiser and they have a different system. We paid one flat fee for all prenatal care and post natal care and then a one time copay for all hospital fees. The one time copay was high (3K) but compared to the actual bill from the hospital (csection, anesthesia, was in hospital for 5 days), it was less than 10%. I also had no choice where to deliver and who my doctor was.</p> <p>I'm currently pregnant with LO2 and with a different insurance (Blue Cross) and am confused at how it works. I've been seeing a RE and officially graduated last week. I did set up an appt with a local OB/GYN practice that a lot of my friends used. I went there once for a pap smear and annual checkup and thought the doctor and nurse were pleasant enough. They have multiple doctors and two other locations. </p> <p>Questions<br /> 1)I've heard they only deliver at one hospital (where I delivered my first LO) but would like to go somewhere closer (we've moved since then). Do I have to go to that hospital only?<br /> 2)How do payments work with prenatal care?<br /> 3)What are other questions I should ask about the cost behind pregnancy and birth? </p>