Does health insurance cover NICU costs?

I've been kind of worried about paying for/incurring NICU costs. I delivered at 32 weeks and I'm told my baby will be in the NICU until his due date ( about 7-8 weeks). I have health insurance through my employer. Do they usually cover the costs? DH read something about applying for SSI or other assistance? I don't really know where to start with this and I want to be somewhat prepared for the cost. Thanks much 

They should. But you can apply for medicaid for baby as a secondary insurance.

I believe baby can get ssi if they weigh under 2lbs 10oz.

Cant link it but in parents with preemies forum is a thread about disability for preemies.

They usually have a limit that they will cover up to. I think it is common for up to a million. You can look into state assistance, like medicaid, if you qualify to cover what your insurance won't. Most long term NICU stays end up costing close to a million dollars, if not more from what I've seen.

Yes, you can apply for SSI but there are guidelines that the baby must meet. If the baby had a low birth weight, or was considered "small" for gestational age, then it would be likely you could get it. There are also other standards and ranges of benefits depending on things going on. I would definitely look into and apply.

Thanks for the information so far, ladies. That already answers some of the questions I had- which is so helpful. Truly value the feedback on BG. Thanks 

i wouldnt worry there's always medicaid no one should ever pay for medical bills that's why all hospitals are going bankrupt these days-no one pays the bills!

Medicaid off sets the cost if you apply. I wouldn't qualify for medicaid normally but the took the cost of the hospital stay and gave me a deductible of 4,500 that I had to pay. They will now cover her until she is a year!

We have tricare (through the military) for insurance, and that covered it all. The NICU nurses told me after so long in the NICU that the state insurance would automatically cover it if we didn't have insurance. I never had to look into it and don't know if it is different for other states or not, but sounded good if someone were to need it! lol

Our nicu had a few social workers who took our case and did all the paperwork for us for everything we needed and qualified for. You should ask if they have anyone like that there. They should because the last thing NICU parents should need to worry about is bills and whatnot. At least not while in the NICU. Good luck.

<blockquote><b>Quoting {tamz}:</b>" Our nicu had a few social workers who took our case and did all the paperwork for us for everything we ... [snip!] ... the last thing NICU parents should need to worry about is bills and whatnot. At least not while in the NICU. Good luck."</blockquote>

Thanks! Yeah we spoke with the social worker and she said that generally insurance will cover costs. Anything else left over she could provide resources to try and cover extra costs, but she basically said not to worry much. I was worried about bills being like $5k & up! Doesn't sound too likely but I will call my insurance company tomorrow and get more clarification.'