Do you have to pay deductible twice for pregnancy?

Asked by: Ms. Barbara Keebler  |  Last update: October 26, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (41 votes)

One thing to keep in mind if you aren't yet pregnant but are thinking about conceiving: If you get pregnant one year (say in June) and give birth the next (in March), you'll likely have to pay the deductible twice, which could be a sizable cost.

Do I have to pay my deductible twice?

In short, a double deductible means you will pay your deductible twice if you are subject to it. If one of the scenarios listed above requires you to pay your deductible, instead of paying $1000 deductible, you would pay $2000 or 2X your deductible.

How do deductibles work when having a baby?

Since baby is retroactive on insurance to their date of birth (again, assuming you do officially add the baby to the policy) your deductible goes from individual deductible to family deductible (assuming it wasn't already at the family deductible due to covering your spouse and/or other children).

Does your deductible reset when you have a baby?

Your out-of-pocket maximum and yearly deductible may also change when you add your newborn to your plan. In most family plans, you will pay an individual deductible for each family member, as well as a plan deductible that applies to the whole family.

How many times do you pay a deductible for health insurance?

Additionally, deductibles typically reset each policy period. For example, if you have a health insurance policy with an annual deductible of $2,000, you will need to pay that amount each year before your insurance starts covering expenses.

How To Reduce Pregnancy Related Medical Expenses (With High Deductible Insurance)

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Is deductible paid all at once?

For example, if you have a $1,500 deductible, you pay the first $1,500 of the services you need. Depending on your plan, you may also need to meet this in-network deductible before you pay for covered prescription drugs. This means you will pay the prescription's full cost upfront until the deductible is met.

Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000?

Remember that filing small claims may affect how much you have to pay for insurance later. Switching from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible can save as much as 20 percent on the cost of your insurance premium payments.

Can you pay deductible twice for pregnancy?

One thing to keep in mind if you aren't yet pregnant but are thinking about conceiving: If you get pregnant one year (say in June) and give birth the next (in March), you'll likely have to pay the deductible twice, which could be a sizable cost.

How does insurance work with pregnancy?

Health coverage if you're pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or recently gave birth. All Marketplace and Medicaid plans cover pregnancy and childbirth. This is true even if your pregnancy begins before your coverage starts.

Is it better to have a low or high deductible for pregnancy?

Since pregnancy and childbirth bring hefty costs, a lower-deductible PPO plan may be a more affordable option. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "Health Benefits & Coverage: Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions."

How much is a hospital bill after having a baby with insurance?

The average cost of having a baby with insurance is $6,940, which includes the cost of labor, delivery and medical care for you and your newborn. How much you'll pay depends on your plan, the hospital you use and how you give birth.

What is the cheapest way to give birth?

7 Since home births don't involve facility costs or medication, they are generally cheaper than hospital births. However, many insurance plans don't cover home births, meaning families may have to pay healthcare providers out of pocket.

Do you always get your deductible back?

If their efforts are successful, in whole or in part, most companies will reimburse you in accordance with the recovery. For example, if 100 percent of the paid claim is recovered, you will receive 100 percent of your deductible; if the recovery is 65 percent, you will receive 65 percent of your deductible.

Can a hospital make you pay upfront?

In other situations, including a pre-scheduled surgery, the hospital or other providers can ask for at least some payment upfront. But in most cases, a health plan's network contract with the hospital or other medical provider will allow them to request upfront payment of deductibles, but not to require it.

Why are there two deductibles?

As a refresher, the deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance starts to help pay your medical bills. Most insurance plans have an “In-Network” deductible and an “Out-of-Network” deductible. The “Out-of-Network” deductible can be double the amount of the “In-Network” deductible.

Do I have to pay my deductible before giving birth?

Key Takeaways. You can expect to pay your deductible and possibly your out-of-pocket max for medical services related to giving birth. Using in-network providers can help reduce the cost of healthcare. Consider changing plans, if possible, to maximize your coverage before giving birth.

What can I claim when pregnant?

Statutory Maternity Leave

If you are employed and pregnant, you are entitled to 52 weeks (1 year) of maternity leave, no matter how long you've worked for your employer. This is made up of 26 weeks of ordinary maternity leave and 26 weeks of additional maternity leave.

How much do prenatal visits cost with insurance?

The amount your obstetrician charges for each visit could range from about $90 to more than $500. Other services, such as ultrasounds and laboratory tests, are typically billed separately and cost upwards of $100 each. And special tests like an amniocentesis can cost more than $2,500.

Do you have to pay deductible multiple times?

Deductibles for car insurance require you to pay the deductible amount every time you file a claim. Once you pay the car deductible amount, your insurer will cover the remaining cost to repair or replace your vehicle. Auto insurance policies don't require you meet an annual deductible.

How early pregnancy can be deducted?

Pregnancy tests work by detecting levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a markers of pregnancy in a person's urine or blood. Home tests can usually detect pregnancy 12–15 days after ovulation. A person can take a test at home or a doctor's office.

Can you switch insurance halfway through pregnancy?

You can switch your health insurance while pregnant only during the Open Enrollment Period or if you have experienced one of the other life events listed above. Pregnancy does not qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period, but giving birth does.

Do you have to pay your deductible if you're not at fault?

It depends on your insurance policy. Some insurance policies require you to pay your deductible even if you are not at fault, while others do not. Reviewing your policy or speaking with your insurance agent to understand your coverage is important.

What is too high of a deductible?

In 2023, health insurance plans with deductibles over $1,500 for an individual and $3,000 for a family are considered high-deductible plans.

What does $500 deductible with full glass mean?

For instance, if you're considering full glass coverage with a $500 deductible and an additional cost of $5-$10 per month on your premiums, it means that before your insurer covers any repair or replacements due to glass damages on your vehicle's windshield, sunroof, or even side windows during an accident or other ...