No Insurance? Try this. -Ryan

One of my first blogs Got insurance?  I talk about how Katherine and I came to be pregnant with out insurance. When I first found out she was pregnant I got extremely over whelmed with medical cost. I looked all over the  internet for guidance and kept coming up empty handed. So, through trail and error, we have figured out a best practices of what to do if you are with out maternity coverage. I say "best practices," but I know no other way of dealing with it.

I wasn't planning on showing this video, because mostly I hate it. I made it off the cuff and it was all in one take, I ramble way to much, and over all I find it boring. I have been receiving some emails about it, so it might be helpful. For that reason alone, I will post it here.

Like I said the video is terrible, but here is a couple of emails I have gotten and a response. I hope it helps others.

 

 

 

thank you

Thanks so much for your post. I heard you mention "Baptist" ..are you referring to Baptist hospital in Nashville? I'm in Nashville! I currently do not have maternity insurance. Husband and I are self employed and I just found out that I'm pregnant. I have searched before on what to do about this. And have found that you can pre pay obgyn's and get discounts. I will have to review my policy. But from what I know is that if an "emergency surgery" needs to happen .. a c-section. That that is when your insurance kicks in and you get covered. I do want to re-review my policy however because I read a story and there was video on a woman who was in AZ and her BCBSAZ policy had all of these stipulations as to what fetal distress it. And she had to pay for c-section but is still fighting with the insurance company. I have researched midwifes..but get scared sometimes if I don't have a obgyn established and paid upfront. Did you decide what OBGYN your wife will use and what hospital? Did you pay the hospital upfront yet and do you know what hospital? I heard good things about Dr. Pashcall. Sorry for long message...but I'm very thankful for your video and grateful you took the time to put it up. Please let me know any tips or what ever you decide to do.
Thanks,
Ani

Another example:

i am in same boat !

Hi , It's Amish from Milford NH . i am also in same boat, we found last week that my wife is pregnant . we have no insurence . we are so worried abt the cost and we can't get any insurence now. please advise what will be the best way to deal with cost . even little information will help. Thanks, Amish 

So a typical response from me looks like:

Re: i am in same boat !

Hey Amish, congratulations on your big time life change!

I'll be glad to tell you what I have done and I can only hope it helps you.

First I would say that if you can get approved for it, there is absolutely nothing wrong with medicaid. With your wife pregnant, you are already considered a family of three which will raise the income maximum your family can make per month to get approved. I live in Mississippi, I'm sure our maximum of 2,500.00 a month for our entire income is a lot less then in NH. Keep in mind they go by monthly income, so if your paychecks very month to month then pick a low income month before you apply. Medicaid will cover 100% off all your birthing cost and will also pay you back if you have already paid some obgyn medical bills before applying.

If you have already checked with Medicaid and that is not an option, then it is time for you to be a smart consumer. I would get a list of all the hospitals with in a 30 - 45 minute radius. Call them and explain you have no insurance and would like to receive an estimate on the cost of a child birth. Every hospital I called had some type of discount for the uninsured. Prices will also very from one extreme to the next, so it is important to call a lot of hospitals when pricing. My cost after calling varied from 5,000 - 13,000 for a child birth, you can double that figure if your wife has to under go a cesarean. Once you find a hospital, and you're comfortable with the reputation and distances, then they can provide you with a list of doctors the use their facility. Shop your doctors in the same manner, they too will give you discounts for not having insurance. If you have the means to pay anything all together in cash, that also constitutes another discount. Our obgyn cost ranged from 2000 - 4000. We went with a little bit more expensive doctor because my wife was more comfortable with her. Some times your wife's comfort and practicability will play over cost.

Remember you can always make payments, and as long as you pay something (anything) each month, then no interest will be added to your medical bills.

I hope I helped, your baby is blessed to have you looking after them.
- Ryan
Please feel free to give me extra input you think I may be leaving out in our comments box, or email us at allthingsdaddy@gmail.com


I will be remaking this crappy video as soon as I get a new camera, don't judge!