Doctors Office Already Wanting Payment??

Question

I went in for an appointment at 8 weeks and they informed me that at my 12 week I have to pay 1/2 of the doctor delivery bill which is over 1k and the rest is due before I’m 28 weeks. Is this normal? I was just so surprised that they already wanted so much $ when I am only 12 weeks along. Im kind of bugged by this. I have the money for it but it just seems sooooo early to pay this much for a delivery that won’t happen for another 28 weeks!
I have already had a baby and my previous doctors office never asked or pushed for payment. I just got the bills once the baby was born.
Is this normal? I’m torn whether to switch offices because I do like my doctor!

Answer

I’ve never paid upfront. I’ve had two kids and I was billed after delivery. Didn’t pay a cent prior.

Answer

Switch

Answer

Definitely not… with my first I paid towards my deductible when I received bills from my insurance after each appt and then after I had him I paid the rest of my deductible/max out of pocket and the rest was covered by my insurance… but I only paid when I received bills AFTER my insurance paid their portion

Answer

That is not normal, unless you have a homebirth midwife, you pay in increments so it's not so much right at the end (most insurances don't cover homebirth) 
My two hospital births I didn't have to pay anything besides my copay until I actually delivered (because also if it's a practice you have no idea who will be on call) and they bill you AFTER delivery. There's no way to know what you'll need in labor.

Answer

We got billed after baby that seems a bit odd

Answer

My OBs office discussed cost of delivery and cost of prenatal care around my 12 week appointment. They don’t even bill for basic prenatal care until week 38. So the idea of paying up front seem crazy to me. Also if you have insurance they’re is really no way they can determine cost up front. I would definitely question this. Also paying for services not already received in healthcare (especially non elective) seems sketchy. I wouldn’t fork over any money until I knew for sure this is legit.

Answer

I paid 20% at 10 weeks for all my pregnancies. And then at the end of the pregnancy they bill the insurance and if I over paid they would cut a check back to me. I have two children. But my last time I paid at 10 weeks and miscarried at 11 weeks. I think it depends on the state or the practice how they do it.

Answer

I live in TN and every doctor here wants paid upfront. It’s very strange coming from another state but everyone says it’s normal here.

Answer

No I’ve used an OB and Midwife. The OB just billed us as things went but didn’t ask for money before any service was preformed. With the midwife they calculated what they thought it would be after the deductible and projected insurance coverage, we paid along the way and ended up getting a refund actually after the insurance came through. I would ask for their policy if you really are in love with this doctor to get the details and clarify if your going to have to pay more if anything comes up or if it’s that balance no matter what comes along. Good luck

Answer

Lol. My mom said the doctors in Texas in 1980-1983 made her pay for the deliveries of me and my sister in advance.

Doctors Office Already Wanting Payment??

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