Thursday, December 14, 2006

Having A Baby? Check Your Health Insurance Coverage. Repeatedly

Congratulations, you're pregnant! Now go check your health insurance
coverage. Great, the baby's nursery is painted, decorated, and ready! Now go
check your health insurance coverage. Wow, you've just received a ton of
baby gifts for your baby shower! Now go check your health insurance
coverage.
Oh boy, your hospital bags are packed and it's almost delivery time! Now go
check your health insurance coverage.

Well, maybe it's not quite to that extreme, but health insurance problems
can creep up at any time. Unfortunately some people learn that the hard way
when they receive a hospital or doctor's bill that's many times higher than
what it should be.
The problem is that with most of today's healthcare networks, there are
in-network and out-of-network providers. Choose a provider that's in-network
and your bills will be substantially lower. Choose an out-of-network
provider and you'll likely pay three times as much or more.

At this point, you're probably thinking, "No problem. I checked my network
directory and chose an in-network OBGYN and hospital.
I'm covered." While that was probably true when you first checked the
directory, that may not be true today. Unknown to many patients is that
doctors and hospitals often fail to renew contracts or drop insurance
companies for some reason. That's why each and every time you visit your
OBGYN or check in to a hospital, you're asked to fill out the same insurance
forms and sign the same payment guarantees you've signed countless times
before. At that time, they should inform you if your insurance is no longer
accepted, but that's not always the case. Doctor's offices and billing
departments are not always up-to-date and aware of insurance contract
changes. The only time you may find out a problem exists is when you get the
bill. Even if they are aware of the insurance change and you are informed,
you certainly don't want to get that information when you're checking in to
deliver your baby.

Your best bet is to call both your insurance company and your chosen
delivery hospital well before your big day and again as your due date gets
nearer. Make sure they accept your insurance and are an in-network provider.
If possible, find out when their contract expires and if it is being
renewed. Just because they accept your insurance today doesn't mean the same
will be true tomorrow or next week or on your day of delivery.

If you do find a problem with your insurance, your options may be limited to
paying the higher rates, switching insurances, or switching doctors and/or
hospitals. Before you go to any of those extremes however, contact your
insurance company to see if they will grant you an exception where you can
continue with your out-of-network provider at an in-network rate. Also, call
your hospital or doctor to see if they can come to some kind of compromise
with your insurance company. While neither of those are likely to happen, it
is worth a try. If you end up needing to switch insurances, make sure you
check their rules regarding pre-existing conditions.

So, go on celebrating your pregnancy, decorating your baby's nursery,
unwrapping your baby shower gifts, and getting ready for your baby's
entrance into the world. Then, GO CHECK YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.


About The Author: Kenneth Taylor is an editor for the Binky Links Online
Baby Store and Information Directory. Visit the directory at
http://www.binkylinks.com/

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