Pay first, deliver later: Some pregnant people are being asked to prepay for their baby

[milestogo]

In April, just 12 weeks into her pregnancy, Kathleen Clark was standing at the receptionist window of her OB-GYN’s office when she was asked to pay $960, the total the office estimated she would owe after she delivered. Clark, 39, was shocked that she was asked to pay that amount during this second prenatal visit. Normally, patients receive the bill after insurance has paid its part, and for pregnant people that’s usually only when the pregnancy ends. It would be months before the office filed the claim with her health insurer.

Clark said she felt stuck. The Cleveland, Tennessee, obstetrics practice was affiliated with a birthing center where she wanted to deliver. Plus, she and her husband had been wanting to have a baby for a long time. And Clark was emotional, because just weeks earlier her mother had died. “You’re standing there at the window, and there’s people all around, and you’re trying to be really nice,” recalled Clark, through tears. “So, I paid it.”

On online baby message boards and other social media forums, pregnant people say they are being asked by their providers to pay out-of-pocket fees earlier than expected. The practice is legal, but patient advocacy groups call it unethical. Medical providers argue that asking for payment up front ensures they get compensated for their services. How frequently this happens is hard to track because it is considered a private transaction between the provider and the patient. Therefore, the payments are not recorded in insurance claims data and are not studied by researchers.

Patients, medical billing experts, and patient advocates say the billing practice causes unexpected anxiety at a time of already heightened stress and financial pressure. Estimates can sometimes be higher than what a patient might ultimately owe and force people to fight for refunds if they miscarry or the amount paid was higher than the final bill.

https://19thnews.org/2024/11/pregnant-people-prepay-delivery-babies/

[Autumn]

1. This has been going on for years. My daughter is 29 and we had to do that when I was pregnant

with her.

[zeusdogmom]

2. I had to pre-pay in 1980

University employee insurance plan did not cover any costs related to pregnancy. I payed a pro-rated amount at each prenatal visit. By time baby girl was born she was paid for.

I can understand why docs want the out of pocket $$$ but why the entire amount at one time?

[milestogo]

3. I can understand payment due at time services are rendered.

But ahead of time? What happens if you can't afford to pay? No services?

[Silent Type]

4. That sounds like the co-insurance for a normal delivery. Docs often ask for payment early. That doesn't mean they

won't work out something with you.

Maybe someday it will all be paid under some universal health care, but this young lady will likely be a grandmother or great-grandmother before that happens here.