How much does it cost to have a baby in the US?

Asked by: Luisa Durgan  |  Last update: November 26, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (35 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 with insurance?

The Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation Health System Tracker estimates the average cost of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care for Americans with insurance is $18,865. Nearly $3,000 of that is paid for out of pocket1 even if you have health insurance.

How much do Americans pay for a baby?

Get Ready to Pay a Big Bill. The average cost of child birth in the US is $18,865. Having a baby is expensive in the US, and not even a good insurance plan will pick up the full tab. 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.

Is it expensive to give birth in the US?

The average cost of childbirth is $13,024 for a vaginal delivery without insurance. But with a Silver health insurance plan, the average cost of pregnancy care and delivery is $6,940. Here we'll cover the average cost of childbirth — from both sticker price to allowable amounts under health insurance plans.

Why is having a baby in the US 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.

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What state is cheaper to have a baby?

On the opposite end of the list, the study shows that Arkansas is the least expensive state to have a baby in with a total cost of $20,637.

What is the cheapest state to have a baby in?

Here are the 10 least expensive states to have a baby, according to the analysis:
  • Arkansas: $20,637.
  • Alabama: $21,208.
  • Mississippi: $21,382.
  • New Mexico: $21,864.
  • Kentucky: $22,305.
  • Idaho: $22,951.
  • Ohio: $23,088.
  • South Carolina: $23,176.

Is childbirth covered by insurance USA?

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.

Is the US the most expensive country for childbirth?

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.

Does an epidural cost extra?

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

Does health insurance cover pregnancy?

Pregnancy, birth and post-natal care aren't usually part of a typical family health insurance policy. But if you have a private medical insurance (PMI) policy, it may pay for access to private healthcare services while pregnant. However most policies only cover complications and emergencies.

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 expensive is it to raise a child in the US?

Raising a child is expensive. From the day your baby is born until the day they turn 18, your family will spend about $310,605 — or about $17,000 a year, according to a new Brookings Institution analysis of data from the U.S. Agriculture Department.

Is it free to give birth in Canada?

Childbirth in Canada

Birth costs for citizens, permanent residents, and international residents in Canada are often covered by their publicly-funded healthcare system. Often it is free and may only cost a couple of hundred dollars depending on the specific medical procedure you would require.

Is 2023 a good year to have a baby?

The sign of Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture. 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope. Chinese astrologists believe the year of the Rabbit is a good one for giving birth.

How much does it cost to give birth in Japan?

Cost of Childbirth in Japan

So, how much does it cost to give birth in Japan? On average, you can expect to pay between 500,000 and 600,000 yen (roughly $3,000 to $4000 USD) for a single birth. However, the government provides a subsidy worth 420,000 yen ($2800 USD), which will cover most of the cost.

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'

Which country is free in giving birth?

But perhaps the most impressive part of giving birth in Norway is that it's 100% free, from the first check up to the delivery, due to universal health care in the country.

Which state is best for birth in USA?

Massachusetts was at the top of the ranking. For its report, WalletHub compared all 50 U.S. states, and Washington, D.C., based on the cost of having a baby, health care, baby-friendliness and family-friendliness. The personal finance website used 32 metrics within those four categories to make the overall ranking.

How much is out-of-pocket for childbirth in US?

The average out-of-pocket spending for a vaginal delivery is $2,655, compared to $3,214 for cesarean births. For labor and delivery, out-of-pocket costs can include a health insurance deductible, copayments and coinsurance, depending on the specifics of your plan.

What is the best insurance to have while pregnant?

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.

How can I give birth in USA without insurance?

How to Pay for Childbirth without Insurance
  1. Check if you qualify for Medicaid. ...
  2. Negotiate your bill. ...
  3. Ask for an itemized bill. ...
  4. Set up a payment plan. ...
  5. Ask for support via crowdfunding.

What is the most expensive part of having a baby?

The first month of your baby's life may be the priciest, because it includes maternity care, the cost of delivery, postnatal care, and a hospital stay. The numbers can vary depending on where you live, what kind of birth you have, and your insurance policy.

What is the safest state to have a baby in?

Massachusetts topped the report's list of the best states to have a baby, receiving high marks for its quality of healthcare and family-friendliness. Following the Bay State were Vermont, Rhode Island, Minnesota and New Hampshire.

What is the safest state in the US to give birth?

Ranked number one, Massachusetts ranked highest in OB-GYN availability and prenatal care access. The state also has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the country. Vermont earned high marks for cost of delivery and baby-friendliness. It also has some of the lowest hospital charges for conventional delivery.