How Much is it to Have a Baby Without Insurance? – Overview
Around 3.9 million women give birth each year in the US, according to statistics from the CDC. The cost of childbirth in the country is higher than in many others.
Even if you have a normal and healthy pregnancy, you should be prepared to pay hefty charges for prenatal, labor and delivery, as well as post-partum care.
In addition, the reports suggest that more than 12% of women of childbearing age do not have health insurance coverage. This creates a huge financial burden for the family at the time of childbirth.
If you are among these women and want to seek assistance with the cost of childbirth then this article is for you.
Cost of Childbirth
How Much is it to Have a Baby Without Insurance – How Much is the Cost of Childbirth?
There are multiple factors that influence the exact cost of childbirth expenses in the United States.
The total cost of childbirth without insurance cover varies, depending on the state you live in, the cost of living there and the type of delivery (Vaginal or Cesarean).
The average cost of childbirth without complications can be anywhere between US$ 5,000 to US$ 11,000 for vaginal delivery.
This cost could go up and over US$ 30,000 if the costs of pre and post-pregnancy are also included, such as tests and evaluations.
Getting a C-section is even more expensive in the US. According to reports, women today are 500 times more likely to undergo a C-section, as compared to the 1970s.
On average, the cost of a C-section can be anywhere between US$ 7,500 and US$ 14,500. This is nearly 150% more than the average charge for a vaginal delivery.
Besides this, the cost is likely to increase further when you add the charges for tests, evaluations and possible complications.
Though the specific cost of childbirth varies according to the location, the cost can double when you do not have health insurance coverage.
The out-of-pocket expenses for childbirth can prove prohibitive most of the time. Hospitals are also likely to charge uninsured women more than they charge those with private or public health insurance.
Alabama has the lowest rate of childbirth in the US, at an average cost of US$ 4,884 for a vaginal delivery and around US$ 9,013 for a C-section, without insurance cover.
On the other hand, women in Alaska may have to pay as much as US$ 10,680 with insurance but end up paying over US$ 19,770 without insurance coverage.
Expect these Expenses
On average, women need to visit their Ob-Gyn at least 12 times during pregnancy, before childbirth. These scheduled visits include tests and appointments, which can cost:
- Doctor’s appointment – US$ 90 to US$ 500 per appointment
- Ultrasound – US$ 280 to US$ 600
- hCG Test – US$ 39
- Amniocentesis – US$ 2,500
- Blood tests – US$ 39 to US$ 63 each
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) – US$ 1,300 to US$ 4,800
After the delivery of your child, you may also incur post-partum care charges.
New mothers are likely to experience a wide variety of health problems following childbirth, such as infection, postpartum depression and cardiovascular problems.
Women with insurance spend around US$ 3,100 in the year following the birth of their child. On the other hand, women without health insurance coverage can expect to pay much more.
The Growing Cost of Health Insurance
According to surveys, among the adults with no health insurance in the US, around 3 out of 4 admit to being unable to afford the rising cost of insurance cover.
Most of them don’t have access to insurance through their employers or are unable to afford the monthly premiums.
Even for workers with health insurance cover, the additional costs prohibit them from taking full advantage of their health insurance plans.
According to reports, the worker’s share of premiums for family health cover has grown by 40%, which is significantly faster than the rate of wage growth.
Conclusion
Some women who qualify for health insurance assistance may be unaware of the options. They may find the selection process too complicated and eventually quit trying to get a health insurance plan.
According to reports, around 4.2 million women in the US, aged between 19 and 25, still depend on their parent’s insurance plans. Still, most of these women have to bear the cost of prenatal care out of pocket.
Reference links
https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/
See Also
Cost of Dentist Without Insurance
Medical Care Without Insurance
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