Pregnancy & Benefits in the US vs. Canada?

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I always assumed it would be the 10,000 after insurance. After reading this, I checked and it is much cheaper than expected. Thanks for your help!!

I spoke to a woman today at work, she said with their fairly good insurance and a natural birth (no epidural) their out of pocket came to approx $700 so there's your best case scenario but of course you can never guarantee what happens during a birth and you can never guess how you'll react to the pain

[TheFantastics09 19]

I spoke to a woman today at work, she said with their fairly good insurance and a natural birth (no epidural) their out of pocket came to approx $700 so there's your best case scenario but of course you can never guarantee what happens during a birth and you can never guess how you'll react to the pain

So if you have to go to the hospital (for a c-section) would that be covered also?

Edited December 2, 2011 by TheFantastics09

[dukeandduchess 141]

Not to hijack this thread (sorry OP), but after pregnancy and child birth how much debt are most of you left with (if you don't mind me asking)?

Hijack away!!

** you're asking questions I care about too! haha

Edited December 2, 2011 by dukeandduchess

[Alex & Rachel 78]

I always assumed it would be the 10,000 after insurance. After reading this, I checked and it is much cheaper than expected. Thanks for your help!!

It could well be depending on your insurance!

Apparently my boss's bill - she is covered 90% after a $8,000 (I believe) deductible - for a cesarean birth and 5-day hospital stay was around $20,000.

I have a deductible of $4,000 after which I am covered 100%. So I'm expecting my total expenses (not given birth yet) to be $4,000.

Edited December 2, 2011 by Alex & Rachel

[Canadiandggal 49]

It could well be depending on your insurance!

Apparently my boss's bill - she is covered 90% after a $8,000 (I believe) deductible - for a cesarean birth and 5-day hospital stay was around $20,000.

I have a deductible of $4,000 after which I am covered 100%. So I'm expecting my total expenses (not given birth yet) to be $4,000.

Our insurance changes as of Jan and then we will pay out of pocket 3000 then the rest is covered at 100 percent so I know the next one will be roughly the same amount.

As for medically needed csections, they are usually covered at the same amount (80 percent or which ever percent your insurance covers) however it does cost more. I believe my OB had said its usually around 22,000 without insurance.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

So if you have to go to the hospital (for a c-section) would that be covered also?

It's not that your insurance doesn't cover most things, it's generally what percentage they pay and what you are left with. Have a good read through your fiance's insurance policy and if needed write down the questions he needs to ask his HR/Benefits person. He can probably find someone at work who take sthe same plan who has had a baby recently and they can explain what it cost for them. You may have a deductible to meet first....but perhaps it's already been met that year and then you're just paying a percentage of whatever the total cost is.

Last year I had laproscopic day surgery which involved being put out/ operating toom, recovery etc and I didn't pay a cent, it's just all in what coverage and how comprehensive it is.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

It could well be depending on your insurance!

Apparently my boss's bill - she is covered 90% after a $8,000 (I believe) deductible - for a cesarean birth and 5-day hospital stay was around $20,000.

I have a deductible of $4,000 after which I am covered 100%. So I'm expecting my total expenses (not given birth yet) to be $4,000.

Ouch - an $8000 deductible is a little crazy But what can you do, your company picks whatever insurance options it picks and the employees sometimes don't have much choice.

[TheFantastics09 19]

Hijack away!!

** you're asking questions I care about too! haha

Much appreciated!

It's not that your insurance doesn't cover most things, it's generally what percentage they pay and what you are left with. Have a good read through your fiance's insurance policy and if needed write down the questions he needs to ask his HR/Benefits person. He can probably find someone at work who take sthe same plan who has had a baby recently and they can explain what it cost for them. You may have a deductible to meet first....but perhaps it's already been met that year and then you're just paying a percentage of whatever the total cost is.

Last year I had laproscopic day surgery which involved being put out/ operating toom, recovery etc and I didn't pay a cent, it's just all in what coverage and how comprehensive it is.

My husband said one of his co-workers is pregnant right now, so he will ask her next week. Great idea!!

Edited December 2, 2011 by TheFantastics09

[thetreble 19]

All I know is that here, in NJ, I've seen a few girls at work go out on Mat Leave and they are back in 8-12 weeks. I also think it's unpaid but I'm not 100%. It's shitty.

[Krikit 1,164]

Back in the olden days..... I received 6 weeks maternity leave at 35% of my pay. (I'm pretty sure it was 35%. It was a long time ago, after all. ) It was the most traumatic thing, ever, to return to work. Very shocking to discover the US was so far behind the times.

[SapphireDreams 71]

In my case, my employer offers me 2 full months of paid maternity leave (I think part of it is covered by disability, but they top it up to my full pay) but only if I've worked there for at least one year. If working there less than one year, it would be unpaid. I can also save up my vacation time (I get 5 weeks vacation) and use FMLA, so I think I'll be able to take at least 4 months or so. Every employer is very different, so beware of that.

In terms of benefits, we don't have a deductible and I am covered 100% for all services related to child birth, but I'll have to stay in network, which isn't too hard to do in NYC generally. Employers often offer different coverage options, some with a deductible and some with no deductible but with higher co-pays. When your husband's open enrollment comes around, you should look at all of the available options and plan accordingly. Sometimes it's worth it to pay a higher premium every month if you know that you're planning to have a baby and need better coverage.

Living in the US for 2.5 years now has made me realize how important having a emergency savings fund is. Even with insurance and a job, you just never know what could happen. We keep a large savings fund just in case. It means we will wait longer to start a family, but the piece of mind is worth it.

[szemek 12]

I have a question about Canadian's losing their benefits when they move to the US. What is used to determine whether they receive benefits or not? Residency?

The reason I ask is because my wife and I are in the US right now and for the immediate future (I have a job while she goes to school and graduates), but in the future we have talked about living in Canada for a season of our lives.

The immigration process would be much easier for us the other way around as long as I find a job because I am a religious worker (and therefore don't need a visa to work or be up there while the process is ongoing). But anyway, once we moved there would she regain her benefits?

Thanks for any input!

[dukeandduchess 141]

Each province is different. Just look up health benefits in (province).

For example, BC:

http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/eligible.html#who

[Udella&Wiz 325]

In my case, my employer offers me 2 full months of paid maternity leave (I think part of it is covered by disability, but they top it up to my full pay) but only if I've worked there for at least one year. If working there less than one year, it would be unpaid. I can also save up my vacation time (I get 5 weeks vacation) and use FMLA, so I think I'll be able to take at least 4 months or so. Every employer is very different, so beware of that.

In terms of benefits, we don't have a deductible and I am covered 100% for all services related to child birth, but I'll have to stay in network, which isn't too hard to do in NYC generally. Employers often offer different coverage options, some with a deductible and some with no deductible but with higher co-pays. When your husband's open enrollment comes around, you should look at all of the available options and plan accordingly. Sometimes it's worth it to pay a higher premium every month if you know that you're planning to have a baby and need better coverage.

Living in the US for 2.5 years now has made me realize how important having a emergency savings fund is. Even with insurance and a job, you just never know what could happen. We keep a large savings fund just in case. It means we will wait longer to start a family, but the piece of mind is worth it.

Couldn't agree with you more!

[TammyandJosh 1]

So heres a ?..Our petition just left friday for the montreal consulate.. We just found out a few weeks ago Im pregnant..Timing sucks obviously my beautiful wedding dress prob wont fit..blah blah blah...

If I go on Mat leave early before we move..Can it continue? I know you can get EI in some cases? (not a happy healthy pregnant person at all..past 2 babes have meant lots of hospitalizations for rehydration and nutrition)

Thoughts anyone?