Insurance Questions to Ask About Pregnancy
For many people, pregnancy is the first time they will spend a substantial amount of money on medical costs. Prenatal care, ultrasounds, lab work, delivery and hospital charges can cost a fortune. Although it probably isn't the first thing you think about when you get pregnant, insurance coverage certainly shouldn't be the last thing on your mind. There are many different types of insurance plans. You should be fully aware of your pregnancy coverage and know the right insurance questions to ask.
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Considerations
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You must verify which doctors and hospitals participate in your insurance plan's network of preferred providers. This means you should not only call your insurance company for a list but also ask your doctor if he participates as well. This way you know if your doctor plans on canceling his participation or is in the process of doing so. For some people, failing to do this can lead to very little or no coverage at all.
Time Frame
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Depending on the type of delivery, women stay in the hospital for different lengths of time. Many insurance plans automatically authorize mothers to stay in the hospital for 48 hours after a vaginal birth and 96 hours after a cesarean section. You should ask your insurance company as soon as you find out you are pregnant so you can be prepared.
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Significance
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It is important to prepare your family financially before the birth of your child. If you don't know the ins and outs of your plan, you might catch yourself with a $10,000 bill simply because you forgot to add your newborn baby to the policy. That being said, make sure you ask your insurance company if your newborn has automatic coverage for a specific amount of time or if you have to call when she is born for her to have coverage.
Types
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There are many different types of insurance plans. Before you use your plan, it is wise to know what you're getting yourself into. Some companies charge a copay for each prenatal visit. Others have you pay a deductible such as $300 or $500 before they pay anything. Other plans pay the first $1,000 or so before you pay $1,000 or so, and then coverage kicks back in again. Ask your insurance company how the plan works for pregnancy and prenatal care.
Misconceptions
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Many women think that any type of provider who practices in a covered hospital is covered under their pregnancy coverage. It is extremely important, however, to ask if your plan covers midwives, nurse practitioners or any other pregnancy-related professional you plan on seeing for your care. Some plans only cover physicians.
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