Charging for an epidural???

[jeanine123]

A lady I know told me that her dr has informed her that she needs to pre-register for her epidural and pay a deposit for it (don't know how much the deposit is). And if you don't pre-register the anestgiologist might not be there when she's there to give birth (I'm curious as to how they're going to pinpoint that day) and that she'll have to write a check then and there for $300 to get the epi administered. She's planning on an unmed birth but is worried about it something goes wrong or if she can't handle it or whatever. Is this even legal??? The more I think about it the more it nags me in the back of my mind that I had heard of this happening in inner city hospitals a while ago but there was a halt put to it as it was discriminatory and illegal. Anyone have any thoughts?

[MidwifeErika]

I have heard of this happening, esspecially since some forms of health insurance I guess won't pay for it fully.... or they demand the money upfront from women who have no insurance. I guess they could probably technically do it because it isn't medically nessisary, just a preference. In the case of an emergency I am sure it wouldn't be legal.

[Elowyn]

Yes, it's legal. An elective epidural (i.e. not in an emergency situation) is a luxury. They probably have problems getting insurance to pay for them (as it should be) and have gone to this system instead.

[mom2angelbabies]

I think it's a lot more common than we realize. At smaller hospitals, especially, an anesthesiologist is not always available unless notified prior to the birth (so they can at least be "around" during the timeframe), so it could be similar to that. But yeah, it's legal, and I've heard of it being done quite often.

[NaomiLorelie]

I don't find that to be surprising. I think America is the only country where epis are so regularly available anyway. I have a few Canadian friends and it's not even an option at their small town hospital.

[kate~mom]

i have no idea if those particular practices are legal, but fwiw, the epidural at my first birth was the only thing not covered 100% by my insurance.

[Peony]

DD was born at a hospital, we were self-pay and had to pay for her birth before the actual birth, I could of pre-paid for an eppy! But it is a small hospital and there are is no telling if you'll actually be able to get one. We didn't go that route, I knew I would be ok, and I was.

[Satori]

Could be worse, they could ask her for the entire $1000 fee up front for the epi.

[OnTheFence]

There is one hospital here that you have to pre-register for the epidural. The reason for doing this is they want to know how your insurance will pay for it -- all, part, or none. I've had a few friends who had to pay $500 down on their epidurals because there insurance would not cover it all unless they had a csection.

Kim

[SoCaliMommy]

I didnt have isnsurance but had a contract with a midwife program that worked with the hosp i delivered at, and i had to pay exrta for my epi it wasnt covered on the contract. it was onlyt $420 or so.

[jeanniemarie]

I wonder if you'll get a refund if the epi doesn't "take"?

Jeannie - mom to a wONEderful 14yr old son Ryan

[Evergreen]

Yep, the small hospital here does that because the anestesiologist is not always on the clock.

[Sprucen]

Yes, they at least used to do it the same way here. You had to pay $300 in advance and register for your epi. If you didn't need it or take you would get your $300 back. And I think the main reason was as pps mentioned that a lot of insurance either doesn't cover an elective epi or only a certain percentage of it (80% a lot of the time), and they wanted to make sure they'd get their money. I know that's not the case here anymore, some big upheaval with the anthesteologists (sp?) in town changed the organization of things, so I'm not sure what the current procedure is. All I know is that I don't have to register for it - that is whether I would take it or not is another issue.

[bobandjess99]

Ya, what Elowyn said!