Medical Coverage for Pregnancy

**JustaGirl** · 06-11-2009 01:18 AM

Since finding out I was pregnant last week I have had a lot of research to do and one topic stuck on my mind is HEALTHCARE!

I have decided (I THINK!) to stay up here where I have no family and very little support and a single pregnant woman for the sake of a secure job and good healthcare. I called (EDITED) Membership Services today to get a clear understanding of coverage for me and the baby and WOW, that was a reality check!

So apparently my Prenatal visits which seem to be pretty frequent are $25.00 a visit, Xrays and Labs are $5.00 per visit, ER visits are $100.00, and admissions are $400.00. The baby is only covered until the end of the birth month. So if the baby delivers January 25th, then I have 6 days of coverage. Though if the baby is born February 1st, then I have 28 days. Interesting.

Does this sound reasonable? comparative? like a rip off? I already assumed the Dr. visits and lab costs, but wow everything else surprised me! So if I THINK I am in labor and go to the ER and they send me home... I get charged! If I get admitted and then find out it's false labor... I get charged! Then regardless of all that, when I actually DO deliver it will be $400.00 plus I am assuming you start off in the ER for that, so an additional $100.00. WOW

Talk about second guessing my capabilities to survive as a single parent! How on earth does a Preschool Teacher income cover that! Yikes!

**CHANDLERS WISH** · 06-11-2009 02:36 AM

Research more options of coverage and then compare sweet.

That's the only way you are going to determine what is the best service and price structure for you.

CW

**JustaGirl** · 06-11-2009 02:09 PM

compare notes so to say!

**WildChild** · 06-11-2009 02:56 PM

What you are describing is pretty standard coverage.You don't go to the ER to deliver or if you think you are in labor. You'll call your mid wife or doc, they'll discuss with you the timing and intensity of your labor, whether you water has broken and such and then advise whether you should check in to the maternity section, not the ER. If all goes well with the delivery you could be heading home in matter of hours with the baby. With my 1st I delivered at 12:01 (noon) was home by 6 pm. With my 2nd I delivered at 1:21 am and left about 8 or 9 in the morning, could have gone sooner but had family sleeping at home with my daughter and would have woken them. The baby will be added as a dependant to you coverage soon after birth because they are no longer part of your body but a separate person.
This is so amazing! I look at my kids 18 and 15. One starting college, and think of their births, they are both incredible people. To paraphrase Gibran, They came into the world through me but they are not me, they are each uniquely themselves. And your child will be too.

As you get closer to your due date you will be seeing your care provider more frequently, they will be looking at things such as the baby's position, if you have started to dialate and such and can give you a pretty good idea of how long until you are likely to go into labor. The last month or two you will experience Braxton Hicks contractions and will learn what they are, labor feels a bit different.

You will have been through some sort of class. I STRONGLY recommed against the Lamaze, only 10% of women who do lamaze have a fully natural birth. Bradley is a much better system and only 10% of women doing it Don't have a natural birth. The absolute best reading I found to learn about preganancy and birthing is Ina Mae Gaskins books, written for mid-wives.

You are going to be learning soooo much in the coming months. It's an amazing experience! Right now you are a bit stressed and nervous, dealing with an unexpected, life changing situation. It's going to be OK. You aren't a kid, barely able to care for herself. You are a mature responsible adult and you'll handle this just fine.