Hellobee Boards

Mine requires pre-payment - but by week 26.
They advised I am welcome to start paying now in installments but otherwise the full amount would be due week 26.

Yes, this is how our doctor's office does it too. They have had so many problems with people having babies and just skipping out on the bill after delivery that this helps to ensure that they get paid. You will meet the deductible anyway, its just that the timing of payment is pushed up front. They usually have payment plan options that they can walk you through, so I would ask about that before your appointment and get everything straightened out so you can actually go and enjoy your appt.

My doctor sent us a letter before our first appointment explaining their billing procedures. We had to pay 1500 by the 27th week (in this case that is 1/2 our deductible) and could pay however we wanted...I paid around 300 at each visit and just paid the final amount this past week. Ultrasounds, doctors visits, all other things are billed through insurance and then they send us a claim if we owe.

The rest is billed after L +D since doctors/hospitals can't bill for what hasn't happened yet. We are expecting to pay another 1500 out of pocket to meet our deductible, and the rest is covered 100% per our insurance.

Ugh, that really sucks! Luckily my insurance is good and I only paid $10 co-pay for my first pre-natal visit, then then $250 co-pay for the hospital when I deliver.

This is how ours works, as well. They have a contracted rate with the insurance company of roughly $4,000 for all your prenatals, the doctor at your birth, and two postnatals. My deductible for prenatal coverage and L&D is $1,000 and I have a separate deductible of $1,000 for the hospital itself. My OB office requires I pay the $1,000 deductible by my 24th week so we're paying $200/month until it's paid. But everything counts toward my deductible -- labwork, ultrasounds, etc. -- so I'll likely meet it quite quickly.

I was actually pleased, it was a lot more reasonable than what I thought it would cost to have a baby, given all the horror stories I've heard. I did have the thought of, "What if something happens god forbid and I don't end up having a baby." In that case, I'm not sure. I think whatever you paid just goes toward your $1,000 prenatal deductible.

I've heard of it too. I think it's ridiculous. I did not have to Pre-pay nor anyone I know IRL.

My OB did this too...It's like $300 out of pocket after insurance for my entire pregnancy and they asked me if I wanted to do installments at each visit or just pay it. I also was surprised that it wasn't just co-pays anymore, it's a percentage of total prenatal care, even though mine wasn't very much at all.

Umm I would demand something in writing. I don't pay people any money, especially large sums, just because they call and tell me I owe them. They need to send a bill like anybody else and on that bill it needs to have a due date and I will pay them by that due date. You need something in writing proving what you are paying for and have documentation that you paid. I would demand to know exactly what that payment is covering, like to a t so you ensure you are getting the services that you paid for and not getting screwed. I would also demand to know their refund policy should something happen and you not end up delivering with them. Maybe you have an unpredicted move in the next however many months. Or maybe you decided you hate your doctor and want to deliver elsewhere. Or, maybe you'll be out of town and go into labor early and have to deliver there...what happens to your money then? Get it in writing!

Yup, we had to do this. It's normal around here. We were giving a breakdown of the billed cost less insurance and our remaining amount due. It was due by the time I was 20 weeks and we could pay in installments. They were fairly flexible once they realized we actually were making efforts to make payments and keeping appointments. Relationship building went a long way with the office.

Our OB and hospital charges are separate. I have a $350 deductible, and then insurance picks up 80%. So, for my care with the doc, we owe about $690, and we have to pay that at the next appt, which is around 13 weeks. Have no idea what the hospital is going to cost, but because I'm delivering in a different year, I have to pay the deductible AGAIN for the hospital. Grrr.