Obgyn recommendations in DC- and no insurance advice

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[Post New]09/19/2013 09:01
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Dogmama
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We just found out we are pregnant. We had not been planning it. Shortly after we found out that our insurance will not cover prenatal care. I have the Blue Cross HmO. I am self employed, so no employee coverage. We will not be able to qualify for any assistance because. Make more money than the threshold. We are looking into options and were told that once the health exchanges are in place, we might be able to get coverage, but by then I will be in my second trimester.

In the meantime, can anyone recommend an ObGyn in DC. I live in Mount Pleasant.

Also, does nyone have any suggestions of why else we can explore to help defer the costs?
[Post New]09/19/2013 09:25
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Anonymous
I would look into a midwife an a birth center if you think you are up for it. This can range in the 4-8,000 dollar range.

A typical hospital birth is anywhere from 10-15,000 with a csection in the 15,000-30,000 range.

Is your partner or husband employed? If so most company's open season for benefits is approaching and they can add you. If your not married you may want to look into it as its a qualifying life even that allows for a change in coverage, expect with your self insurance because you will not be able to purchase a maternity rider since your already pregnant
[Post New]09/19/2013 09:27
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Anonymous
Are you sure? Is that even legal? I'd say your best bet is to switch plans during open enrollment if you can.
[Post New]09/19/2013 09:30
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Are you sure? Is that even legal? I'd say your best bet is to switch plans during open enrollment if you can.


PP here. Maybe try to negotiate a discount if you pay cash? Insurance companies get huge discounts, maybe you can try for one too.
[Post New]09/19/2013 09:39
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Anonymous
I'm in the same boat. I've been going to Birth Care in Alexandria. I had my first baby with them (which was covered by Blue Cross) and the birth and all appointments will be a bit under $5k. We are paying a little bit at each appointment with the hopes that either we'll get coverage during the open health exchange or my husband will find another job that has healthcare. If we do find healthcare that covers us down the road, my impression is that they will reimburse us some of the money we've already paid.
[Post New]09/19/2013 09:46
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Are you sure? Is that even legal? I'd say your best bet is to switch plans during open enrollment if you can.


This is sadly pretty common. Most private insurance (not from your employer) doesn't cover prenatal and/or birth.
[Post New]09/19/2013 10:02
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Dogmama
Member Offline
OP here. My husband is also self employed.

Do you know what the discounts are for cash?

Are there birth cares in DC?
[Post New]09/19/2013 10:06
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Anonymous
We are in MD, so this may be a little different, but my husband became self-employed during my pregnancy therefore we did not qualify for a lot of insurance plans except for a special exception through MHIP (MD Health Insurance Plan) which is connected to Care First. They have a special exception for women who are pregnant. They offer several options, many of which do cover prenatal care. I would call Care First and see if DC has such an option.
[Post New]09/19/2013 10:37
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Anonymous
I would cash pay for now, then sign up for an exchange when they open to cover the rest.
[Post New]09/19/2013 10:43
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Anonymous
A midwife in a birth center is going to be the cheapest out of pocket option.

If you give birth at GW without insurance, the discounted cost is $12,000 (not sure about the cost of prenatal care).
[Post New]09/19/2013 11:29
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Anonymous
Your best option is to give birth at a birthing center like BirthCare. It is metro accessible. I don't believe there's anything like it in DC, but you could also find a midwife who will do your prenatal checkups and do a homebirth for about $4000.

Sadly, any hospital birth will be more than $10,000.

If you go the hospital route, you should commit to a labor class now to avoid an epidural. Epidurals alone are about $4000 out-of-pocket.

If you can't financially handle any of these options, you should look into finding employment with an employer that offers full health coverage. Your coverage should include prenatal and labor&delivery, and will be effective from the first of the month after you start work.

Good luck!
[Post New]09/19/2013 11:38
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Your best option is to give birth at a birthing center like BirthCare. It is metro accessible. I don't believe there's anything like it in DC, but you could also find a midwife who will do your prenatal checkups and do a homebirth for about $4000.

Sadly, any hospital birth will be more than $10,000.

If you go the hospital route, you should commit to a labor class now to avoid an epidural. Epidurals alone are about $4000 out-of-pocket.

If you can't financially handle any of these options, you should look into finding employment with an employer that offers full health coverage. Your coverage should include prenatal and labor&delivery, and will be effective from the first of the month after you start work.

Good luck!


To add to this PP it's important to keep in mind that even if you opt for an unmediated birth in the event you need a csection (breech baby, pre-e, etc) that is 8-10k (for the drugs, OR, surgery staff) on top of the 12k for a standard birth at a hospital like GW.
[Post New]09/19/2013 11:39
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Anonymous
There is a birth center in DC but I don't know anything about it or what their fees would be.
[Post New]09/19/2013 12:41
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Your best option is to give birth at a birthing center like BirthCare. It is metro accessible. I don't believe there's anything like it in DC, but you could also find a midwife who will do your prenatal checkups and do a homebirth for about $4000.

Sadly, any hospital birth will be more than $10,000.

If you go the hospital route, you should commit to a labor class now to avoid an epidural. Epidurals alone are about $4000 out-of-pocket.
If you can't financially handle any of these options, you should look into finding employment with an employer that offers full health coverage. Your coverage should include prenatal and labor&delivery, and will be effective from the first of the month after you start work.

Good luck!


I've given birth twice, and each time the anesthesiologist bill was for around $1500 (this is the "listed price", before any insurance discount). Still a lot of money if you are paying that out of pocket, but not 4K.
[Post New]09/19/2013 13:38
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Dogmama
Member Offline
Epidurals are $4000. whoa Nelly!

Thank you all, this is all wonderful advice. For the folks who had a home birth or went to a birthing center, how did you figure out if it will be risky? Did you have a plan B? I am nervous that I might be high risk.

Sorry, I am completely clueless in the baby world.
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