Fear of transfer/neonatal problems for financial reasons

[Phoebe]

I just have to let this out...
Dh and I picked a health ins. Policy that did not cover labor and delivery or neonatal hospitalization. We thought we were done having babies But this little one snuck in there anyway. We were not very responsible, I know. This is my 4th child, 3rd homebirth, 3rd vbac. My kids are all healthy and my vbacs had a lot of pushing involved, were 9 & 10 pounders but came out just fine. I'm 36 an have healthy pregnancies and everything is justas uneventful as ever.

However, I can't shake the fear that if I need a transfer my family is going to be weighed down in debt for decades to come for it. We have no extra $$. I will transfer if I need to, no problem with that. I just don't want the financial aspect to come into play.

I just keep my fingers crossed that all stays well because I can't afford any medical expenses. The hb fee is covered.

Can any one help me get past this. I want to enjoy my last pregnancy. Right now I just can't wait for it to be done so I can move on. I'm 29 weeks.

[NortheastSuperstar]

(((hugs))) right there with you. The midwife is paid, but the possibility of a transfer is always there.

Our plan if it happens is to negotiate with the hospital for a lessened bill and financial aid. Many hospitals will work with people when this happens, as many are required to have a certain amount of community benefits (ie, write-offs). Once the baby is here our state will cover anything he/she needs medically through the CHIP program.

Other than that, just going with the zen approach of if it happens, it happens. There's really nothing I can do that I'm not already doing that will change that. If we end up in the hospital with huge bills, the babies and ourselves are worth the money.

Good luck

[MO_Bookwyrm]

I have had to deal with hospital bills that I wouldn't be able to pay...even though we had insurance. When we received the bills for my stay, we requested a financial hardship form and turned it in. I'm sure they vary from hospital to hospital. If you qualify, they will either lower your overall bill and work out payment options with you or write off the entire bill (what happened with us).

I hope all goes well for you and you don't need to transfer. But if you do, I hope that eases your mind some.

[Phoebe]

Originally Posted by MO_Bookwyrm

I hope all goes well for you and you don't need to transfer. But if you do, I hope that eases your mind some.

thank you, it does help.
Thanks to both of you. It helps to know there is some negotiating and help.

[la mamita]

do you qualify for medicaid or another low-income health insurance plan offered by your state? those usually have good maternity coverage and medicaid will be retroactive (so, if you go to the hospital with some emergency and haven't applied, you can apply afterwards and get those bills paid).

if not, PPs are definitely right that you can negotiate with the hospital for bills you can't afford.

sometimes i find it helpful to really think through, okay could we survive if XXX-worst-case-scenario happened, and come up with a plan of how we would do it. there are very few problems that couldn't actually have a workable solution, so i have found that to help me with the what-ifs that are causing me anxiety. no idea if you are of a similar personality and that would be helpful!

[Tumble Bumbles]

It's only money . I know that seems like a cavalier attitude, but I suppose I'm one of those people who thinks medical care is a human right in a country that boasts itself as being the best and most advanced in the world. If it happens, it happens. There is absolutely nothing in the universe that will improve anything by worrying or stressing about it.

Focus on a blissful home birth and deal with anything else when it happens. Blessings mama.

[*MamaJen*]

Have you double checked that your policy doesn't include emergency C-sections? Mine didn't cover maternity care or normal delivery, but it did cover a few things like complications from miscarriages and emergency C-sections.
Insurance in this country is so messed up.

[NortheastSuperstar]

Just a follow-up to my post... we DID end up with a transfer However, at the time the money didn't matter and it was definitely the right decision at the time. Everyone is healthy and the financial part we will figure out. Here's the story:

After three boys... it's a GIRL!!!
Charlotte Kate, 7lbs 8oz, 21.5", born at 4:14am 11/2

We were planning on a home birth, but during pushing she turned and got stuck posterior with her chin flexed upwards and was way up high despite pushing hard for a few hours. I was DONE, and at about the same time her heart rate started going into the 80's during contractions so we called for an ambulance to ride to the hospital. We got there at 3:30am and went up to L&D. The on call OB got there and they set up the vacuum extractor and prepped the OR for a c-sec if it wasn't going to work. They did a scalp monitor on the baby and the decels were very clear. She (the OB) said she would try twice with the vacuum and then go in for a c-sec. The first time didn't work, and she called for the OR to be staffed, the second time she was able to get the vaccuum way up there and on, and she didn't stop pulling until she was out. I was SO thankful for the vacuum at that point! There's NO way I could have moved her that far. I'm glad I didn't have a c-sec, but I just wanted to be out of pain and I honestly was consenting to everything at that point.

So, we stayed at the hospital for 11 hours until mid-afternoon on Tuesday. It wasn't what we planned, but it all worked out fine. Our midwives were great -- they were there the whole time and the ambulance and hospital staff treated them well and worked with them to get info, etc. It was exactly how a transfer should go and I'm happy with the whole experience.

Charlotte is so awesome, nursing well and is well-loved by her brothers

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Congrats, mama!! Welcome baby Charlotte.