Pregnancy Billing Surprise: Paying Upfront for Baby Care

In the middle of her pregnancy, Kathleen Clark was asked to pay $960 at her OB-GYN's office. This wasn't a standard bill after insurance, but an upfront fee for future care. She was shocked because usually, bills come after the baby is born. Kathleen felt trapped. The practice was linked to a birthing center she wanted to use, and she'd been trying to have a baby for a while. Plus, her mother had just passed away. Many pregnant women are now dealing with these early payment requests. Health providers say it ensures they get paid, but patient advocates call it unethical. It adds stress and financial pressure during an already tough time. If something goes wrong, like a miscarriage, getting a refund can be hard. This practice started due to the high cost of maternity care and how it's billed in the U. S. Usually, one bill covers all prenatal care, labor, delivery, and postpartum care. But this system is outdated. The Affordable Care Act now covers some prenatal services, but it doesn't stop providers from asking for money early. Having a baby is expensive. People with employer health insurance pay around $3, 000 out-of-pocket on average. Many also opt for high-deductible plans, which means they pay more upfront. Asking for money early can be a burden, especially if people don't have paid maternity leave. Kathleen paid, then later asked for a refund. Her baby came early, and a different doctor delivered him. She finally got her refund after many calls. It was a stressful time, and she wondered why she had to deal with all this as a patient just trying to have a baby.