The Costs Of Having A Baby.

What does it cost to have a baby?
It costs a lot to have a baby! Costs vary from one part of the country to another, depending on how long you stay in the hospital and whether you or your baby have complications. Prices can range from $5,000 to $15,000 for a delivery. Total cost depends on how long you and your baby are in the hospital, if you have an epidural and if you deliver vaginally or by Cesarean section.

Pregnancy Insurance Coverage.
Your insurance coverage can vary quite a lot from company to company. Find out what your insurance company covers by asking the following questions.
•   What type of coverage do I have?
•   Are there maternity benefits? What are they?
•   Do maternity benefits cover Cesarean deliveries?
•   What kind of coverage is there for a high-risk pregnancy?
•   Do I have to pay a deductible? If so, what is it?
•   How do I submit claims?
•   Is there a cap on total coverage?
•   What percentage of my costs is covered?
•   Does my coverage restrict the kind of hospital accommodations I may choose, such as a birthing center or a birthing room?
•   What procedures must I follow before entering the hospital?
•   Does my policy cover a nurse-midwife if I choose to use one?
•   Does coverage include medications?
•   What tests during pregnancy are covered under the policy?
•   What tests during labor and delivery are covered under the policy?
•   What types of anesthesia are covered during labor and delivery?
•   How long can I stay in the hospital?
•   Does payment go directly to my doctor or to me?
•   What conditions or services are not covered?
•   What kind of coverage is there for the baby after it is born?
•   How long can the baby stay in the hospital?
•   Is there an additional cost to add the baby to the policy?
•   How do I add the baby to the policy?
•   Can we collect a percentage of a fee from my husband's policy and the rest from mine?

How can I find out more about exactly what it will cost?
You may need to check with the hospital and your insurance company, if you have insurance. Someone in your doctor's office can usually help you with this.

Is it really OK to ask my doctor's office questions about insurance? I don't want to bother them.
Yes, it's OK, so don't be afraid to ask. Most offices have at least one person who deals only with insurance companies. They realize how important this is.

I live in Canada. Is insurance for a baby different here?
Yes, the Canadian healthcare system is very different from the U.S. system. Canadians pay a healthcare premium on a monthly basis, and cost varies depending on the province you live in. The government pays the doctor who delivers your baby.