Cost of a birth center (in California)

[amyji]

I may be crazy contemplating my next child when my first and only is just two months old, but I'm curious. I'm also in the market for purchasing health insurance and whether or not to get a policy that includes maternity care or not, for the future. Are birth centers covered by health insurance companies?

If birthing centers are not covered by insurance, how much could I expect to pay for:
1. the prenatal care (per visit)
2. an uncomplicated birth

I gave birth in Thailand in an international hospital because that's all they have here. My story would be different had I given birth in the USA. Any insight is much appreciated. :)

Amy and Aidan

[Artisan]

My experience is that most insurance companies will pay for an accredited birth center. In CA, an exception might be Kaiser, as they have their own hospitals and expect you to use them. My insurance covered my birth center, but if it hadn't, my midwifery group charges a flat rate for all pre- and post- natal care, as well as the birth. They charge $3500 for everything, payable in installments. They also offer a discount if you pay in full at one time. I live in an expensive urban area, if that gives you a frame of reference.

[2+twins]

Yeah, I can't see Kaiser allowing anything outside of their network unless it was a true emergency (like when you're not near one of their hospitals and need an ER). I haven't used a birth center but I asked about the price difference during my last pregnancy. My homebirth midwife charged $4000 (which I paid out-of-pocket) and I believe the birth center which she also ran was more like $2000 or $2500. I was cheaper for sure and was in the $2k range (or maybe that's the amount left that I'd be responsible for - sorry, I can't remember for sure!). I think most insurance companies will pay at least a portion of a birth center fee. I was surprised after my birth, when trying to get the ins. co. to pay me for the homebirth (I had not even tried to see if they would before - I assumed they wouldn't), that they would have paid for a homebirth had I used one of the midwifes they had on their list! I really didn't think that would have been offered so I didn't check. It pays to check!

[hunnybumm]

I don't like in CA (but that is where I am from) but the BC we are using in NC is $4000, that doesn't include any testing, ultra sound or complications. If you stay more than 24 hours for your labor / birth they charge extra as well. However, our insurance (Tricare - military Ins) does pay for a portion of it. If I stay on my full coverage plan (as long as you go to an in network provider) will pay 50% plus a $300 cost share (since it is an out of network provider). If I downgrade my coverage I am responsible for 20% of everything, with a max of $1,000 out of pocket for a full year. However, my Ins is really good, and I am not sure about other ins plans.

If you are planning on having more kids I would definitly get the materity care added on. A lot of Ins companies won't cover you if you try and switch to materity coverage AFTER you are pregnant, it is a pre-existing condition. Also, before you choose a health Ins plan you can ask them what they cover. You should be able to find one that covers a BC since they are pretty 'normal' and plentiful in CA (from what I have been told). There are only 2 in all of NC (where I live now).

[amyji]

Boy I didn't realize it was still so expensive to give birth more naturally. I'd better start saving now and also opt for a health insurance policy that covers part of the cost of a birthing center. Thanks for your imput, ladies.