USA is the most expensive country in the world to have a baby, there is no way of knowing the bill in advance, and you can potentially be charged just for holding your newborn baby (You can be charged $40 )
It’s the only developed country without mandated paid maternity leave; in some states, however, short-term disability insurance covers your income for a few weeks while you recover from the birth.
Even with decent insurance, you can expect to pay a few thousand dollars out-of-pocket for an uncomplicated birth. Indeed, the cost of delivering a regular American baby is more than that of delivering a Royal baby in the UK.
Nobody in the US healthcare system can ever tell you how much anything costs. They just tell you to call your health insurance company, who tell you to call the hospital’s billing department, who put you on hold then tell you to call your insurance company. Three weeks later, you get a bill. Even though your hospital is covered by your health insurance, one of the specialists who comes into contact with your newborn might not be. The paediatrician may be out of network so not recognised by her insurance provider and so is extra.
80% of medical bills contain errors and these almost always seem to be over-charging rather than under-charging you.
Despite getting massively marked-up care – the USA has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world.
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