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Pay First, Deliver Later: Some Women Are Being Asked To Prepay for Their Baby (kffhealthnews.org)

submitted 10 hours ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/health@lemmy.world

6 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Summary

Some U.S. OB-GYNs are requiring pregnant women to prepay for maternity care, a shift from traditional billing after delivery. The practice, while legal, is criticized as unethical by patient advocates, adding financial and emotional stress during pregnancy.

Providers argue it ensures compensation amid rising maternity care costs and high-deductible insurance plans. Critics say it can lead to inflated estimates, complicate provider switches, and deter prenatal care. Refunds for overpayments often require patient advocacy, exacerbating stress.

Experts note the legal gray area and challenges in regulating such payment practices.

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[–] halykthered@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 hours ago

Whoop, mother died in childbirth. Thankfully we got the cash already!

[–] oh_@lemmy.world 20 points 9 hours ago

lol. And they want folks to have kids? I recall musk and a few others saying everyone needs to have more kids…. Well then who is paying the bill??

[–] HubertManne@moist.catsweat.com 2 points 5 hours ago

prepaying in general in the healthcare field is bs. the eob needs to be run so that anything you pay is counted toward your maximum out of pocket. I find providers that want some sort of prepayment don't put any effort toward putting in or correcting a claim so that the costs count.

[–] khannie@lemmy.world 6 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

We have always had to do that when using private healthcare (Ireland). Up front and non-refundable cost was around 700 euro iirc so not a wildly different amount and probably higher now. They always told us up front though. Being told while you're standing there is tremendous pressure to put someone under who may be struggling financially and faced with "I need to care for my baby".

Having said that our public system is fully free and very good. We have gone both public and private.

[–] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 3 points 7 hours ago

Phh wow y'all got a choice... You must have a good daddy in charge. American daddy hates women and children

[–] betterdeadthanreddit@lemmy.world 3 points 7 hours ago

Damn, can't pay this month either. Sorry baby, you're staying in.