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For most people, having a baby is an event that combines both fear and exhilaration into a whirlwind of new experiences, unfamiliar settings and new responsibilities. Even for uncomplicated deliveries, hospital charges can mount rapidly. A brief stay in the maternity unit of most hospitals is very expensive, but for mothers of twins and triplets the financial burden can be truly frightening.
Multiple deliveries are often premature, and the newborns often require extended Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) services. Each baby with a gestational age of approximately 32 weeks can accumulate $31,000 or more in NICU expenses; those of lower birth weight or who are born even earlier can generate NICU expenses of $90,000 or more per infant. Given the high cost of the NICU care that your premature infant is likely to need, you should be sure to explore the following options as you are preparing yourself financially for the delivery of twins or triplets:
1. Private Medical Insurance
In most cases, the expenses incurred by each infant’s NICU stay are covered by the mother’s private insurance plan. There may, however, be procedures and specialists that are excluded from coverage under your particular plan. Because coverage exclusions vary, it is necessary for you to contact your insurance company as soon as you know that you will be delivering twins or triplets. Inform your insurance company that your infants may be facing a NICU stay, and ask them exactly what is covered, what is excluded, and how any out-of-pocket costs are to be paid.
Be sure to confirm that the NICU providers in your hospital of choice accept your insurance; there are certain situations in which the hospital will accept your insurance, but the NICU staff physicians will not. Finally, remember to appeal any insurance claim that is denied. Denials are often triggered by technicalities; if you correct the issue and resubmit the claim you will often find that it is approved. If you believe that you are being treated unfairly by your insurance company, you can contact your state insurance department and appeal.
2. Medicaid
If you are not covered by private medical insurance and you are eligible for Medicaid, you should contact the social work department of your hospital of choice and discuss the extent to which Medicaid will cover your anticipated bills. It is also important to ask the social worker if there are specific tests, procedures or consultants that are not covered by Medicaid and to determine the best method to meet those remaining financial obligations. In order to be sure that you receive the coverage you deserve, apply for Medicaid as soon as you discover that you are pregnant.
3. Hospital Financing Options
If you are uninsured, meet with your hospital’s finance department as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. It is often possible to negotiate a lower rate for hospital services, and your hospital may offer interest-free financing options.
Delivery of a single premature infant can be an extremely costly experience. The costs associated with multiple deliveries—with their tendency to be premature and to require high-level NICU care—can be a staggering financial burden. If you are pregnant with twins or triplets, it is important for you to investigate your insurance options as soon as possible. Doing so will limit financial surprises, give you time to find the best options, and allow you to concentrate on your new family members without distraction by financial concerns.
Megan Sutter blogs about the insurance needs associated with pregnancy. You can click here to find cheaper health cover for delivering your multiple preemies, in addition to individuals health insurance.