I know with mine they had a set amount for a deposit, then they would check with your insurance to see what they cover and then cut the amount not covered minus the deposit into monthly payments so you don't have to have some big lump sum.
This is exactly what I am doing. They have it set up to where it should be paid off by month 8 and they call it a global fee. I think one reason why they do it is so you don't have to pay every time you have an appointment, but I am not sure.
I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield MA, specifically their HMO. Never once have I had to pay any deposits for OB visits (35w4d now) and I have not even had to pay co-pays except for sick visits outside of my usual checkups. I would definitely either check your insurance's website or give them a call and ask for them to clarify what in regards to maternity care is covered. If the OB you are going to is out of network or something, that might explain the weirdness, but your insurer would be able to define that for you more clearly.
I have Blue Cross, both for medical and dental. I have had to do that (the deposit) with dental visits, but never with medical. Basically, they estimate what the cost of service will be, minus what the insurance will cover. They then ask that I pay that portion up front. Again, that's only been with the dental. I don't even have a co-pay with medical, but I always get my bills from the doctor in the mail.
My office requires that 75% of my deductible for prenatal care and delivery be paid by my 7th month, and that I start paying toward it starting in my 3rd month, either as one lump sum or equal payments until month 7.
If your insurance covers prenatal care and delivery at 100%, then I would giving them your insurance information now so they can call and verify everything prior to your appointment. If you are 100% covered with no deductible on anything then they should not need a deposit (however, that's pretty rare for insurance these days).
If you switch doctors later, they will refund your deposit less any money you do actually owe for prenatal care. Basically, since so many insurance plans have higher and higher deductibles these days, it's the only way they can make sure they get paid.
But if they are asking for your entire deductible up front at 8 weeks along (rather than a deposit and payments along the way) then I would find that rather unreasonable.
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If your insurance covers prenatal care and delivery at 100%, then I would giving them your insurance information now so they can call and verify everything prior to your appointment. If you are 100% covered with no deductible on anything then they should not need a deposit (however, that's pretty rare for insurance these days).
If you switch doctors later, they will refund your deposit less any money you do actually owe for prenatal care. Basically, since so many insurance plans have higher and higher deductibles these days, it's the only way they can make sure they get paid.
But if they are asking for your entire deductible up front at 8 weeks along (rather than a deposit and payments along the way) then I would find that rather unreasonable.
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