Should we dual insure our newborn (NC)?
We are scheduled to be induced in 10 days. Our baby is going to be tiny and may need NICU time or have other complications.
My husband has a great and well-subsidized plan through BCBS NC. He’s in open enrollment now, so we know what his revised rate will be, and it’s only about $50 more than just the two of us. So that’s a done deal.
I’m also insured through my employer with a very low cost and relatively decent AETNA plan with a $1000 deductible. Being dual insured through the pregnancy has been invaluable and has saved us a ton.
Coordination of benefits can be a bitch, but from what I can tell, healthcare costs in the first year are high generally and higher still if she has complications.
I’ve got to have the “Qualifying Life Event” before I can even know what it will cost to add the baby to my plan as well. I should have the option to potentially change plans, I think, but regardless my Aetna coverage will probably not be as good as his BCBS (it will almost certainly have a higher deductible, if nothing else). Based on the “birthday rule” my plan would be primary.
Is it worth it to have the baby dual covered if it is reasonably affordable?
