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This week CNN published Study: Average preemie costs $49,000 in first year.
The average cost of medical care for a premature or low birth-weight baby for its first year of life is about $49,000, according to a new report from the March of Dimes Foundation. By contrast, a newborn without complications costs $4,551 for care in its first year of life, the report said. Newborns with other kinds of complications, such as congenital defects, have medical expenses of $10,273 on average in the first year. Read Entire Article.
I think $49,000 seems like a low estimate. Considering by definition that a premature baby is one born before the 37th week of pregnancy, I can see how that can skew the results. My youngest daughter, Tatym, was born over 3 weeks early (thus before the 37th week), but was still happy and healthy and a bouncing 7 lb. 4 oz. I didn’t consider her a preemie at all.
Whereas my twins were born over 13 weeks premature, and they maxed out the $1 million lifetime benefits on our health insurance. See why I call Macy and Mallory my million dollar miracle babies?
I wonder how much the Octuplets‘ care is going to cost?! I think I’m going to dress up as Octomom for Halloween this year!