How much does it cost to give birth in the US?

Asked by: Paige Heathcote  |  Last update: August 26, 2023
Score: 4.7/5 (34 votes)

Average Cost of Childbirth in the US
Giving birth costs $18,865 on average, including pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care, according to the Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Health System Tracker. Health insurance can cover most of that cost. But what if you don't have health insurance?

How much does it cost to have a baby in the US without insurance?

How Much Does It Cost to Have a Baby in the U.S. Without Insurance? The cost of childbirth can vary depending on the type of birth and geographic location within America, but for those without insurance it can cost around $13,000 to $14,000. 2 If you have complications that price can skyrocket.

How much do Americans pay to give birth?

A new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the average cost of childbirth in the US is $18,865 under large insurance plans. Though most of that is often picked up by insurance, out-of-pocket payments clock in at an average of $2,854.

Does insurance cover childbirth in the US?

Yes. Routine prenatal, childbirth, and newborn care services are essential benefits. And all qualified health insurance plans must cover them, even if you were pregnant before your health coverage started.

Which states are cheap to give birth in USA?

Average Out-of-Pocket Cost of Hospital Delivery, 2020

Pennsylvania ($1,249), Delaware ($1,271) and South Carolina ($1,344) were also among the most affordable states to have a baby. In Washington, D.C., the average cost was $1,026.

What's the real cost of having a baby?

42 related questions found

Is pregnancy delivery free in USA?

If you don't have health insurance, you'll be responsible for all the costs for prenatal care and the birth of your child. However, many states make it easier for pregnant women to enroll in Medicaid or a state-sponsored health insurance program, through which all of their health care would be free or very low cost.

What is the most affordable way to give birth?

The cheapest way to give birth is usually at home. With a home birth, you aren't paying the enormous hospital fees, but there are also more risks involved. Delivering at a birthing center can also be cheaper than a hospital birth.

What insurance is best for pregnancy?

If you're pregnant, it's often best to get health insurance through the ACA Marketplace (or your state's healthcare exchange) or coverage through Medicaid. Maternity and newborn care are considered essential health benefits, which means they must be included in qualified health plans sold on the Marketplace.

Why is giving birth so expensive?

According to The Atlantic, the reason why having a baby is more expensive than it used to be is a rise in large deductibles. Again, a deductible is the amount of money that you have to pay before your insurance will even start to pay. It's common for deductibles to be in the thousands of dollars.

Does an epidural cost extra?

For uninsured people, the cost of an epidural can range from about $1,000 to over $8,000.

How much is it to give birth in America with insurance?

The out-of-pocket cost of giving birth, with insurance is $2,854, per a new analysis released Wednesday by the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). The analysis comes on the heels of the Supreme Court's landmark decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that guaranteed the right to an abortion.

How much does it cost to hold your baby after birth in USA?

This is a bill for a recent labor and delivery service in the United States. And it includes a $39.35 charge for holding the baby after delivery. Really. The image of the bill, now shared widely on Reddit, shows a charge for “skin to skin after c sec.” The Reddit user who posted it explained more in a few comments.

How much do you have to pay to hold your baby after birth in America?

4. The hospital explained in a statement that the $39 charge is due to the need for an extra nurse. “In the case of a C-section, where the bedside caregiver is occupied caring for the mother during surgery, an additional nurse is brought into the OR to allow the infant to remain in the OR suite with the mother.

What are the benefits of giving birth in the US?

The benefits of a U.S. childbirth
  • American citizenship and a Social Security number.
  • Visa-free entry to 169 different countries.
  • Grants while enrolling in major U.S. educational institutions.
  • Access to multiple credit resources after age 21.
  • Voluntary military service (with adequate pay and benefits)

How much are baby expenses per month?

It's also possible to save on some big-ticket items if you're lucky enough to have a baby shower, friends who've had babies and can lend you clothes, or parents or in-laws who want to chip in. Monthly, you could safely plan on spending between $250 (no child care) and $1500 (with child care) a month on your baby.

How much does a baby cost in the first year?

Some of the biggest costs for new parents include healthcare (including birth), diapers, formula, childcare, baby gear, clothes, food, and toys. In fact, you can anticipate spending between $9,300 and $23,380 per year per child.

How do poor people pay for pregnancy?

Nearly half of American mothers are covered by Medicaid, a program available to low income households that covers nearly all birth costs. But people with private insurance still regularly pay thousands of dollars in co-pays, deductibles and partially reimbursed services when they give birth.

How much should I save for childbirth?

Average cost of childbirth

First, you'll probably have to pay some out-of-pocket expenses for your pre-natal care and delivery, even if you have insurance. A normal pregnancy typically costs between $30,000 and $50,000 without insurance, and averages $4,500 with coverage.

What is the most expensive birth?

On average, a vaginal delivery in the United States costs about $13,811 before insurance kicks in — making the US the second-most expensive country in the world to have a baby in, after Japan. To compare, here's the average cost of a vaginal delivery in several other countries: Japan: $61,810. Singapore: $8,045.

Will insurance cover me if I already pregnant?

At that time, many health plans considered pregnancy a pre-existing condition. Health plans can no longer deny you coverage if you are pregnant. That's true whether you get insurance through your employer or buy it on your own. What's more, health plans cannot charge you more to have a policy because you are pregnant.

Are epidurals covered by insurance?

When it comes to an epidural, it's important to make sure that your anesthesiologist is in-network. This way you don't get hit with any unexpected costs. Most general medications will be covered, to some extent, by your insurance. However, some might need a prior authorization.

Can I put my pregnant girlfriend on my health insurance?

Unless you're legally married, you usually can't add a girlfriend to your health insurance plan, even if she is pregnant. The only exception is in states that allow domestic partners to be insured on the same health insurance policy.

What country is it free to give birth?

It's 'almost free' to have a baby in Finland—and feels like 'the whole country is providing for a child'

Where is the cheapest place to have a baby in the US?

Following Arkansas, the five least expensive states to have a baby in are Alabama, Mississippi, New Mexico and Kentucky.

How can I get birth pain free?

There are many non-medical pain-relief options for you to try when you are in labour. These include being active during labour, applying massage or heat packs, immersing in water, relaxation techniques, self-hypnosis, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and others.