Pregnacy with no healthcare..

[krissie328]

Find out if your local hospital offers some sort of financial care. We applied with both our kids and with my son we had 100% covered (except a small percentage of the ob bill which ended up being around 1000 but all ultrasounds and delivery was forgiven). With my daughter they covered 60% since we make more money now.

My son's bills ended up being about 27k after all the prenatal care and birth so it was a huge blessing.

 

[Chezzer]

I'm so sorry to hear this, I'm in the UK and we don't pay any medical bills ( dentist and opticians at do if u work ) unless u want to go private through a company called bupa. So if u didn't have jobs how would u pay for scans and appointments. I watch teen mom and 16 and pregnant for the girls not on the show what happens to them. This is really sad

 

[lil lovey]

I'm so sorry you're going through this too . I really hope you can figure something out soon. I ended up not being seen until I was 20 weeks along because that's when I finally got Medicaid. I don't know if this will help or not but one of the doctors told me that Medicaid is retroactive. Maybe you could still go to the doctors and tell them that you are on the waiting list to be approved for Medicaid? I wish I knew more about how it works so I can help you. We really do need the NHS over here......

I do have an idea though, is there a way you could try a birthing center? My ex boyfriends girlfriend is an illegal immigrant (brought here as a kid) and she has no insurance. That's what she's doing right now for her pregnancy. I believe they're even able to work with you with payment plans and it's a lot cheaper.

I have considered that. Talked to a doula friend who works close with midwives in the area frequently. And while I haven't completely ruled them out, I fear a hospital transfer (DD was an forceps assist birth) and I will be responsible for midwife costs as well as the hospital. Not to mention I would have a 45min-1 hour drive to every appointment because all midwives and birth centers are 2 towns over.
I also cook my babys really well, which means the state standard of not going over 41 weeks would mean hospital induction, also what I had to do with DD, and barely missed it was DS.

There are just so many variables, and so little options for our financial situation.

Edit to add: I was also GBS+ with DS and required IV antibiotics while in labor. Which I don't think the MV in this area offer.

The good news is if you do decide to go with a birthing center they wouldn't see you that often. I think she's maybe had three appointments with them so far and she's already around 25 weeks. if you do end up having to be transferred to a hospital during delivery, at least it wouldn't go on your credit I guess......

They can be quite annoying though, I get harassed over $150 that I owe this one Hospital......

Medical bankruptcies here I come.
I know I can figure this out. I am just so upset that my unborn baby is looked upon with less value than the two that I have now. Where is the logic that there is a $900 gap in what they will let you make for children already born, and being pregnant and qualifying. If that makes sense.

Yeah it's pretty sad how our country can work sometimes. If you don't have the money or the insurance they could care less about you .

Thats not right . Kinda feels like you being punished if you cannot afford 🤦🤦.

 

[MissMarpleFan]

If you lived in my city (Dallas), there is a major hospital you’d be able to go to and work out a payment plan.

Also, have you looked into the Medicaid “medically needy” category, which is for people whose incomes are too high for regular Medicaid?

 

[Kiwiberry]

I'm so sorry to hear this, I'm in the UK and we don't pay any medical bills ( dentist and opticians at do if u work ) unless u want to go private through a company called bupa. So if u didn't have jobs how would u pay for scans and appointments. I watch teen mom and 16 and pregnant for the girls not on the show what happens to them. This is really sad

If you're a SAHM, you need to be covered under your husband's insurance, which is taken out of his paycheck every week from his job. If you're low income or disabled you can get government insurance (medicaid). If you are elderly or disabled, there is also Medicare but recently as of this year, you now have to pay for it. If you don't fall under any of these categories, you need to work and pay out of your paycheck for insurance (which is $200-400 sometimes more a month). If you're under the age of 18, you will need to be added to your parents insurance plan or have government insurance. If you're disabled and can't work since birth, you can qualify for about $700 a month to pay for all of your bills (which no one can live off of) if you get married and you've been disabled since birth they expect your husband to pretty much take care of you. The only people who qualify for decent benefits are people who became disabled part way through their life and worked to pay taxes into the social security system. Currently the 1% elite (wealthy) take about 80% of the country's wealth each year, and they're currently stealing money from Social Security and government insurance. So it's becoming harder and harder for people to get any assistance.

 

[Hickory]

I'm sorry you are up against this ridiculous healthcare situation. Before getting married, I did not have health insurance due to the horrific cost through Obamacare. I was a healthy late-20's single female making $21,000 a year and not receiving health insurance through work. I made too much money to qualify for any significant assistance, which brought my estimated monthly cost for the most basic health insurance to over $300 a month. Prior to Obamacare, I was paying $112 a month for very good insurance. I could go on and on about my disgust with the system.

In my area, there are a few options for uninsured pregnant women similar to Planned Parenthood. They offer free testing and ultrasounds, along with classes and counseling. I imagine they guide uninsured woman daily toward the best route for their situation - clinics that accept payment on a sliding income scale, hospitals that accept payment plans, etc. Be a squeaky wheel and keep knocking on doors until you get what you need! Good luck!

 

[Chezzer]

What happens if u work and can't afford to pay for medical care. Surely they can't just leave u to deliver your own baby x

 

[Kiwiberry]

What happens if u work and can't afford to pay for medical care. Surely they can't just leave u to deliver your own baby x

You'll be able to go and give birth at a hospital but you won't be able to receive any prenatal care before then. You'll also owe the hospital a lot of money.

I also forgot to mention this doesn't even include doctor's office that are able to accept government insurance. Most places only accept private insurance with the exception of hospitals which are required to accept it. It's even harder to get dental care.

The birth rate in the United States is on the decline and if someone does decide to have a child, they usually only stick with one.

 

[Kiwiberry]

To give some examples, it's around $11,000 just to give birth. If you are given prenatal care before birth, it can cost anywhere from 30 to $50,000. If you give birth to a premature baby the cost goes up by a lot, around $300,000 depending on how long your child has to stay in the NICU. This is all if you went without insurance.

 

[paintrider89]

I'm so sorry to hear this, I'm in the UK and we don't pay any medical bills ( dentist and opticians at do if u work ) unless u want to go private through a company called bupa. So if u didn't have jobs how would u pay for scans and appointments. I watch teen mom and 16 and pregnant for the girls not on the show what happens to them. This is really sad

If you're a SAHM, you need to be covered under your husband's insurance, which is taken out of his paycheck every week from his job. If you're low income or disabled you can get government insurance (medicaid). If you are elderly or disabled, there is also Medicare but recently as of this year, you now have to pay for it. If you don't fall under any of these categories, you need to work and pay out of your paycheck for insurance (which is $200-400 sometimes more a month). If you're under the age of 18, you will need to be added to your parents insurance plan or have government insurance. If you're disabled and can't work since birth, you can qualify for about $700 a month to pay for all of your bills (which no one can live off of) if you get married and you've been disabled since birth they expect your husband to pretty much take care of you. The only people who qualify for decent benefits are people who became disabled part way through their life and worked to pay taxes into the social security system. Currently the 1% elite (wealthy) take about 80% of the country's wealth each year, and they're currently stealing money from Social Security and government insurance. So it's becoming harder and harder for people to get any assistance.

We refused insurance through hubby's work. It was to the tune of 800+ a month. That is 24% of our combined monthly income and more than our house payment. There is absolutely no way that his work insurance is affordable for us.

 

[paintrider89]

To give some examples, it's around $11,000 just to give birth. If you are given prenatal care before birth, it can cost anywhere from 30 to $50,000. If you give birth to a premature baby the cost goes up by a lot, around $300,000 depending on how long your child has to stay in the NICU. This is all if you went without insurance.

Baby qualify for medical as soon as its born. Because our other kids are qualified and on it currently. So as soon as baby is out of me, it is qualified and all I have to do is call and say baby is born. They add to case and they are covered.
I just can't get baby healthcare while it is inside of me.
Someone please tell me the logic in that?

 

[paintrider89]

What happens if u work and can't afford to pay for medical care. Surely they can't just leave u to deliver your own baby x

No. I am just going to have to pay cash (which living paycheck to paycheck I haven't figured out how) or go into medical debt.
Which I will do to keep baby safe and healthy. But it's going to hurt us for several years if I can't work anything out.
Luckily I am getting lots of good suggestions, and have some leads to try and look in on.

 

[calliebaby]

They don't consider pregnancy a pre existing condition anymore, since Obamacare.

I was told twice today from private insurance companies that they will not take me for pregnacy. I would have to have been on their insurance for a 1 year minimum.

I have applied for marketplaces ACA, but won't be able to enroll until January, and I am looking at at LEAST $200/month out of pocket.

I would fight that. Technically, no insurance company is allowed to do that anymore.

 

[Kiwiberry]

I'm so sorry to hear this, I'm in the UK and we don't pay any medical bills ( dentist and opticians at do if u work ) unless u want to go private through a company called bupa. So if u didn't have jobs how would u pay for scans and appointments. I watch teen mom and 16 and pregnant for the girls not on the show what happens to them. This is really sad

If you're a SAHM, you need to be covered under your husband's insurance, which is taken out of his paycheck every week from his job. If you're low income or disabled you can get government insurance (medicaid). If you are elderly or disabled, there is also Medicare but recently as of this year, you now have to pay for it. If you don't fall under any of these categories, you need to work and pay out of your paycheck for insurance (which is $200-400 sometimes more a month). If you're under the age of 18, you will need to be added to your parents insurance plan or have government insurance. If you're disabled and can't work since birth, you can qualify for about $700 a month to pay for all of your bills (which no one can live off of) if you get married and you've been disabled since birth they expect your husband to pretty much take care of you. The only people who qualify for decent benefits are people who became disabled part way through their life and worked to pay taxes into the social security system. Currently the 1% elite (wealthy) take about 80% of the country's wealth each year, and they're currently stealing money from Social Security and government insurance. So it's becoming harder and harder for people to get any assistance.

We refused insurance through hubby's work. It was to the tune of 800+ a month. That is 24% of our combined monthly income and more than our house payment. There is absolutely no way that his work insurance is affordable for us.

That's absurd, $800 a month how could they expect anyone to pay that. As for the Medicaid, yes I know children are automatically put on it if requested. I was responding to other posters when I posted that stuff.

 

[paintrider89]

Kiwiberry - sorry I think I misread.
And yes 800 a month is to spendy for us.
I know it also looks like we make a lot, because the Medicaid goes off of GROSS income, but when you look at what we actually bring home, it's much lower. Hubby's checks get $300 tax hit every check. Making his bring home pay 2,600. But the state doesn't consider that. Just what he makes GROSS, which is 3,200.

 

[babyvaughan]

Do you have Kaiser Permanent or Group health in your area? I have kaiser and I was in mess over switching insurance because I couldn't afford my low deductible plan anymore and they told me they offer 30 days free care no matter how much you make even if you don't have there insurance. Also in the past when I was in your position where I didn't qualify as low income but I couldn't afford $300 visits just to talk to my specialist the hospital his clinic was attached to said for me to apply to there charity app because it covers all clinics connected to the hospital. You should talk to your local hospital about applying for temporary coverage to help you be seen and have blood work/ultrasound until January.

 

[babyvaughan]

With Kaiser you wouldn't call but you would go into there office and ask for a charity application and explain it to the person whom gives it to you! My deductible is $7,300 this is surprise pregnancy and we had just recently started catching up after my husband nearly dead in April/May and was out of working for weeks. When I told them that they gave me 6 months of free care. It ends in October and I was worried because I can afford to pay like $200-300 bill but my anatomy scan is coming a long with a bunch of other tests due to being high risk and it would put me $1,000+ in debt. I also have to pick a much more expensive plan in January (currently I pay $196 but even that is rising, I will wind up paying around $300-370 a month and still be responsible for a few grand.) Thankfully with this current free care it gives me time to save up. I also just remembered I know of two clinics in our area that provide pregnancy support. One gave my sister in-law at age 19 an ultrasound and help her get healthcare established. You may look for that in your area!

 

[paintrider89]

Thank you for all of the suggestions
I will look into all of that to see if we can find something here.
I did have an appointment today at a place that offers viability US. And support after baby comes.
Tuesday I will be able to see baby M for the first time!

 

[paintrider89]

Find out if your local hospital offers some sort of financial care. We applied with both our kids and with my son we had 100% covered (except a small percentage of the ob bill which ended up being around 1000 but all ultrasounds and delivery was forgiven). With my daughter they covered 60% since we make more money now.

My son's bills ended up being about 27k after all the prenatal care and birth so it was a huge blessing.

YOU my lady. Are a life saver. I found the financial assistance page for the local hospital/clinic chain around here. And I learned a LOT.
First if you are uninsured and go to them for any medical necessary care (so nothing like cosmetic surgery or elective stuff) they auto discount 77% of the bill.
Then if you make under 400% of federal poverty level you can apply for an additional 25-100% of that remaining balance.
We make 138% of the poverty level. Which means I should definitely qualify for even a bit more of a discount. I am going to call and get more info tomorrow, and gather up everything to have copies made and fill out an application.
They offer prenatal care at their clinic, and have the best NICU/Childrens hospitals in my state.
It is a bit more of a drive than my normal hospital and OB. But a little time and gas is worth the savings and quality care.

 

[crownest]

Great hope it all works out