How to Pay for Pregnancy-related Healthcare Costs
Let me tell you about our country’s healthcare system. The cost for prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum care is expensive - even with insurance! EVERYTHING adds up! Even the pads, wipes, and ibuprofen are overpriced during your hospital stay.
According to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, the average cost for pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care is about $18,865. Families incur on average $3,000 out-of-pocket expenses if they are under a large health insurance plan (Rae, Cox, & Dingel, 2022). However, keep in mind the type of insurance plan you have (i.e. HMO, PPO, high-deductible plans, Point of Service (POS) plan, etc.). Also, be knowledgable about your plan's deductible, coinsurance, and copayment requirements.
P.S. Did you know the location of where you live and where you choose to deliver affect pregnancy-related health care costs?
Healthcare costs varies with the type of delivery:
Vaginal: ~$14,768 ($2,655 out-of-pocket expense)
C-section: ~$26,280 ($3,214 out-of-pocket expense)
(Rae, Cox, & Dingel, 2022)
P.S.S. The need for pain medication, an epidural, antibiotics, blood, and higher acuity care (i.e. emergencies, unplanned surgeries, critical care needs) costs more too.
Remember you’ll be paying two bills: one for you and one for your newborn...
But don't stress Mama!
There are ways to supplement costs and make this beautiful experience affordable.
Below are some ways to help subsidize the healthcare costs during and after pregnancy.
1. Flexible spending account/health savings account
Use pre-tax money to add to your FSA and/or HSA accounts. This helps you save money on your taxes, thickens your pay check, and aids in supplementing out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
2. Healthcare credit card (i.e. Care Credit)
See if you qualify for a healthcare credit card. These credit cards are not like your typical credit card. They help pay for out-of-pocket health expenses. You have options for short-term and long-term financing options. Be sure to check the interest rates and minimal payment requirements.
(https://www.carecredit.com/)
3. Hospital payment plan
Check with your hospital or birthing center if they offer financial assistance. A payment plan can include multiple options that are affordable based on your income.
4. Personal savings
Consider setting aside extra money every month to help pay for out-of-pocket expenses. Rainy days don't happen always, but you should always stay prepared.
5. Short term disability
While on maternity leave, a short-term disability plan can assist in supplementing your income while you're not working. Check you policy for terms and conditions. Some plans require you to have the policy for a certain amount of time before you can use it for maternity leave.
6. Hospital indemnity insurance
Hospital indemnity insurance pays you for your hospital stay. Paying into a premium and submitting a claim can earn you money. Hospital indemnity insurance can be used in addition to your health insurance.
P.S.S. Don't wait too long to pay your bill because healthcare is still a business, and they will send you to collections. Whoops! Now that can be AWKWARD!
Yes … although experiencing new motherhood or just going/getting through the 2nd, 3rd or 4th journey can all be a great or challenging time, please know that you’re not alone. My two cents advice, talk with other women and although their experiences are and will be different from you, for sure she is/was a woman that can add a little knowledge to what you already may know. Remember some advice will be silver or gold while others need not to taken into one’s hearing. Final advice love the moments and love your child. They are moments that add to the montage - WOMANHOOD & or MOTHERHOOD which are special by themselves.
JUST SAYIN’ 😊