Out of pocket costs for giving birth continues to grow every year and shows no signs of stopping. The undertaking of raising a child is no cheap affair and that begins right in the delivery room
So how much does it cost to give birth? In 2008 it was 3,069 by 2015 it was 4,569 the trend is only moving further upward according to a study performed by Health Affairs. The figure skyrockets for those without insurance.
The proper health insurance can take a large part of the burden off the shoulders of the new parents and help with much of the ever-rising costs.
How Much Does It Cost to Give Birth?
The cost currently ranges anywhere from 4,000 to 20,000 with the average standing at approximately 10,800 if you don’t have insurance.
The numbers do vary from state to state and even more, depending on the insurance situation as well as the specific procedure, be it cesarean or vaginal birth.
A huge gap exists between the costs given insurance and without.
Alaska stands as a perfect example of this gap, delivery with insurance is $10,681 which is even higher than the national average of those without insurance. However, for those without insurance, it is $19,775. That is a 185% increase.
It is important to understand the full range of costs related to giving birth and not just the delivery. Having a better picture will allow you to best plan and better understand where and how health insurance will be able to help.
Health Insurance Can Help
As shown with the difference in the cost of not having insurance and having, something that carries over to all aspects of life in these times. There is a lot that health insurance can do when having a child. Multiple factors go into how much and what is covered though.
You have multiple options with both marketplaces as well as private plan coverage. This includes the following.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Important to note that you remain covered even if you were pregnant before any coverage began. This pregnancy is covered under protected pre-existing condition laws.
Essential Care
The services that are provided before and after the birth of your child also referred to as ‘Maternity care and childbirth care’ are considered essential health benefits and must be covered by all qualified plans both private and marketplace.
Medicaid and CHIP
CHIP or Children’s Health Insurance Program and Medicaid are both state-based programs that cover mothers and their children. To qualify, the family must be at or below a specific income level. The levels vary for each of the programs.
While marketplace enrollment is set to a particular time of year these two programs have open applications all year round.
Medicaid coverage is always changing and there may be a good chance that, even if in the past you did not, you may qualify for coverage now. It is always wise to keep your eye on the changes states make.
There Is Always Help When You Need It
Having a child is an intense undertaking and the cost concern should be the lowest item on the list.
Thankfully, there are many options and organizations to turn to when a prospective parent asks “How much does it cost to give birth?” The out of pocket cost is rising every year, but, thankfully support is rising with it.
If you have found these resources helpful today, take some time to read a few more of our blog posts! Here you’ll find more content like this and other answers to the serious questions life often puts in front of us.