Uninsured pregnancies/Discount programs

I'm really not sure if this has been posted somewhere else (but I really didn't want to have to sift through all of the exisiting topics) but I was wondering how this has worked out for other women.

My story is that I was working for an insurance company, had amazing insurance and got laid off. Luckily I had already been talks with the excavation company I am currently working for to come to them. Unfortunately, their insurance is shit and I would not have been able to have been covered either way because I got pregnant about two months after I started. Sooooo, I tried to get Healthwave and I was denied based on my income alone. I didn't report my fiances pay.   Kaaaaay, right. There is NO WAY I could easily afford (or afford period) all of the doctor visits and hospital bills.

So I got set up through a hospital down here through the doctor office to be on their discount program. I pay $80 a month until I have a zero balance. That means I could be paying $80 for a loooooooooong, loooooooooooong time. LOL But it's better than being expected to pay a full doctor's visit, lab fees, etc. Right now I'm waiting to hear back from the accompanying hospital (because you have to apply seperately for the doctor's office AND the actual hospital you'll be delivering in). So I am waiting on them to approve (or deny me  ).

To get to my actual question, has anyone ever gone through this before? If so, how did it work out? What was your "bill" like? Did you stay at the hospital for a shorter amount than most people because of the plan you were on? Did you get an epidural and if so, how'd that turn out expense-wise? I'm just curious because this is my first child and I am a worrier. I know that I can only take this life one day at a time, but I worry that we'll get caught up in some horrific financial nightmare and won't be able to afford it. ::shakes head:: I know, I'm maybe a bit excessive with the "wondering" but I do wonder.

Anyone who's had previous experience, please share.  

Have you tried applying at your local welfare office for Medicaid? With that you do not have to pay for prentals-prescriptions-anything, assuming that you qualify.

I'm not sure about your situation entirely, but my epi cost me $500. My insurance didn't cover it at all.

Quoting bgirlmama:“ Have you tried applying at your local welfare office for Medicaid? With that you do not have to pay for prentals-prescriptions-anything, assuming that you qualify.”

Here in Kanss, Medicaid and Healthwave are two-in-the-same it seems. Have I actually applied for Medicaid? No. Have I applied for medical assistance through my state and been denied based off my income? Yes.

  It's frustrating but like I said, I'm now on a discount program and interested to hear from people who have also been on a program like this. I know I've read somewhere online about women suggesting that other women go and talk to the actual hospitals to see if they can work out a payment agreement of some kind. Therefore I know it's not just around here that you're able to do that sort of thing.

Anyone else been on a discount program through their hospital? If so, share your experiences.  

Sorry hun, no experiences here. We just make too much money and the Dr. bills alone and not qualifying for WIC costs us a mint!! I think my labor and delivery after the insurance paid still cost me about $3500. (Then I went and busted my ankle for another $3000) I hate Dr. Bills. I was going through the same problem until magically I got insurance (looong story, I won't elaborate). But before we got the insurance I wasdoing a lot of checking into this Maternity Card thing. They called me and were reallynice.It is for people that make too much money for assistance anddon't have insurance.
www.maternitycard.com Check that out. Good luck, and hopefully everything works out for you the cheapest way possible.

Ok, this could have been just my own intuition but that Maternity Advantagedeal sounded real hokey. All they really do is negotiate your bills with the provider. You can do that on your own. I know I was real disappointed after I spoke with a representative. They sounded reaaaal good but I was taught "if it's too good to be true, it probably is." So I went with that notion, but not before I talked with my sister-in-law who works for one of the big hospitals here in Wichita. I had her do some calling around to see if anyone had heard of it, because I never had. She did just that and come to find out, no one had heard from them. (She was talking to the people in the billing/accounting departments too, not just the receptionist)   I thought it was such a shame but that I could do the same thing myself...so I went to the source and got put on that discount program.

Seems to be a pretty good deal. I just worry. The rep at the doctor's office I go to said that generally speaking, the hospitals tend to give a 10-15% bigger discount if you qualified for the discount at the doctor's office. I am hoping that's the case because I can (and will) use all the help I can get.

i would definately go with medicaid or whatever your local welfare office will provide. you are guaranteed insurance because youre pregnant and alot of times there are no co-pays.

Quoting glass slipper:“ i would definately go with medicaid or whatever your local welfare office will provide. you are guaranteed insurance because youre pregnant and alot of times there are no co-pays.”

Don't you have to make under so much money per year in order to qualify for Medicaid? That's always been my understanding.