Pregnancy Health Insurance Questions: January Due Date, Global Billing, Switching Insurance
I am pregnant and due 1/7/23. This is a mess for insurance! My husband and I have had separate insurance for the past few years, which was always the cheapest overall option. A family plan will make sense for us in 2023.
My 2022 monthly insurance premium is $0 (employer covers 100%), but I do have an HDHP; my deductible is $3,650 before insurance will cover 50% of prenatal care and delivery.
On 1/1/23, I will switch to my husband’s insurance which does have a ~$250 monthly premium, about the same deductible, and will cover 80% of prenatal care and delivery.
For 2022, I have only spent about $1,000 towards my deductible so far. My OBGYN prefers global billing and is asking I prepay all prenatal appointments and delivery before I am 7 months along. The hospital bill and any complications would be separate. My OBGYN is asking that I pay $3,004 upfront for routine visits and uncomplicated birth. They would like $600/mo installments paid before October.
A few things:
I can’t get on my husband’s insurance in 2022 unless I lose my job or half my hours (and pay). Both of our insurance plans reset and change 1/1/23.
I do not want to induce to guarantee delivery in 2022.
I would prefer everything runs through insurance before I pay anything. A lump-sum payment is not a problem for me.
There is a chance I could deliver with completely different insurance. (another deductible, 50% vs 80% coverage)
There is a chance I could deliver over the holidays and get a completely different doctor.
I am not comfortable giving my OBGYN a free $3k loan, with no guarantee of a refund if I overpay.
I would like to use my HSA to cover the majority of these medical expenses. I have about $2,000 remaining for 2022. Tracking every statement and possible refund between two accounts and two years will be a PITA for tax purposes if I prepay $3,004.
(1) Is it smart to prepay everything? I’m leaning towards no with so many variables.
(2) If I happen to go into labor on 12/31 but stay in the hospital for a few more days, am I looking at the out-of-pocket maximums for both 2022 and 2023?
Any general advice would be appreciated! TIA!
