How much will your birth cost? - Page 2

[crayon]

WOW- I saw this thread and had to jump over from the march DDC- My Gowd!!! I guess living in different areas makes a huge gap in the cost! My HB/MW in WA would have been covered 100% except the birth kit $50 becasue medicaid pays for homebirths there!!! But we moved back to northern Michigan and my HBMW here is $650- for everything- I guess when looking at $5000+ I am getting a deal!

[Desdamona]

Yeah, I could consider $650 vs $5k a deal!! But it's all relevant to the cost of living. What's your average starter home go for? I'm guessing since my mom used to live in Oceana Co in Michigan that it's about $35k-$50k. Here that would be someone's (SMALL) down payment. We are looking to get into our own house before peanut is born and are looking at houses that are :::GULP::: $250-$280K. I think we will be finding another rental in reality!

We could move to FL, make $20K less a year but the cost of living would be that much less as well. Here though we have the security of a union, pension, health, dental, life insurance... Things that are hard to some by (in my dh's line of work) other places.

[MammaMia]

Everyone's stories are really interesting. Also, it really shows how awful the U.S. medical system can be.
Well... with DD, completely by luck, we found out my anmiotic fluid started to disappear at 33 weeks. I was admitted to the high risk ward at the hospital where they tried to hydrate me and gave me steroids to mature DD's lungs. Hydrating didn't work, so I had a c-section at 34 weeks. DD was in the NICU for two weeks.
The bills totaled about $200,000. Thank goodness we had insurance. We had planned to pay our $4500 deductible so that was okay. After the deductible we had to pay 20% up to our out-of-pocket maximum which was $5500. So we only had to come up with another $1000.
This time we have a $2500 deductible, but then it's 20% until, I think $14000. We're trying to switch to a plan with a lower out-of-pocket max but I don't know if either of our companies offer one.
Our "plan" is for this one not to come early.

[cakes78413]

we have a private personal plan for our insurance. my husband runs a business and in utah pregnancy is not considered a preexisting condition. apparently too many people were getting insurance in the last month and then billing it all. the result? maternity insurance is *not* available for normal births. we have a 5000 deductible and then it is covered 100%. i thought this was so outlandish, but it doesnt sound too bad after reading what everyone is paying.

linda

[crayon]

Originally Posted by Desdamona

Yeah, I could consider $650 vs $5k a deal!! But it's all relevant to the cost of living. What's your average starter home go for? I'm guessing since my mom used to live in Oceana Co in Michigan that it's about $35k-$50k. Here that would be someone's (SMALL) down payment. We are looking to get into our own house before peanut is born and are looking at houses that are :::GULP::: $250-$280K. I think we will be finding another rental in reality!

We could move to FL, make $20K less a year but the cost of living would be that much less as well. Here though we have the security of a union, pension, health, dental, life insurance... Things that are hard to some by (in my dh's line of work) other places.

You hit it right on the nose- the cost of living is must lower, yep 35-50k for a home- and that is a good home! lol.... But if you think about it money wise my MW v's your MW- and house prices so different, I think my MW is still more ahead. It is amazing how much things cost in different areas. I live in Houghton Co. Way up!!!! But so worth it!

[Quindin]

Up until yesterday I thought I would have to come up with U$2000 out of pocket because my insurance was telling us the midwives and birth center were out of network - they even sent me the first bill already.

After MANY MANY phone calls, the midwife's office discoreved there had been a mistake, and all I owed for WHOLE THING (prenatal visits + lab + US + professional fees + facility fee) is U$5.00!!!!!!!!

I am sooooo happy! We were about to begin finding a regular Obgyn and hospital because we thought that it was all our plan covered. Thanks goodness it was not necessary.

[Desdamona]

Originally Posted by polihaupt

After MANY MANY phone calls, the midwife's office discoreved there had been a mistake, and all I owed for WHOLE THING (prenatal visits + lab + US + professional fees + facility fee) is U$5.00!!!!!!!!

How AWESOME is that??! I'm glad to hear your ins co is covering everything! I am still waiting for my ins co to even acknowledge my request in writing. They can tell me anything now and refuse to pay or offer a ridiculously low amount after the birth so I want something in WRITTING!!... Speaking of which it's time to call the supervisor again... For the 8th day in a row and leave the same message on her voice mail.

[Desdamona]

Originally Posted by mama2simonp

The meeting went very well. She is so earthy and a very good fit for us. Very confident in the body's ability to birth. She doesnt do vaginal exams. Very hands off. We will start prenatals with her soon. She wants me to call after we get past 12 weeks. Which will be sunday. So we are very excited about getting to know her better and have her come to our birth. Thanks for asking.

That sounds awesome. I'm glad you found someone that you feel so comfortable with.