Ask Sofia: How much does it cost to have a baby?
If you live in Minnesota, you will likely pay somewhere between $6,000 and $15,000 to have a baby, according to FAIR Health’s state-by-state data. The survey showed that Minnesota was 31st in the nation for delivery costs, with vaginal birth ranging from $6,000 to $11,000 (with vs. without insurance) and C-sections ranging from $8,800 to about $15,000, again the first figure showing a delivery with healthcare insurance and the latter without insurance. The cost with insurance reflects the full hospital bill and out-of-pocket costs would vary based on the insurance plan.
The average cost to have a baby in the United States is nearly $11,000, underscoring the fact that babies may be small, but they are not inexpensive. If you factor in pre- and post-natal care, these figures can quickly reach $30,000.
“Many of our patients note their concern about the costs of maternal care, which is why we always encourage patients to get in contact with their insurer, if applicable, right away to learn more about the specific plan, including co-pays, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums,” said Clinic Administrator Katie Sexe. “Prenatal care is an invaluable part of your and your baby’s wellness, and this is an important step to take for your financial wellness.”
To reduce potential costs, you can also consider the following:
- Open up a health savings account. An HSA is a tax-advantaged account that allows you to set money aside specifically for healthcare costs. You can use these funds to pay labor and delivery costs as well as pre-natal and post-natal healthcare expenses.
- Stay in-network. You can save significantly by seeking medical care within your approved network.
- Take good care of yourself. When you maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine, manage your stress and listen to your doctor’s advice, you can help prevent some of the more costly pregnancy complications.
- Review your bills. If you see something that doesn’t look or sound right, never be afraid to call your insurance company and get more information about charges or coverage.
- Seek additional help. If your family falls below a certain threshold, you may be able to enroll in programs such as Medicaid. You can also call 1-800-311-BABY to connect with your local Health Department for more resources.
“At Clinic Sofia, we are extremely proud to offer a lower cost of care compared to other health systems as well as how our commitment to quality continues to result in high patient satisfaction ratings,” said Sexe who notes the latest cost of care data available from Minnesota Community Measurement. “We know this is important to our patients, particularly when they have not met their deductible and are having to pay for more out of their own pocket.”
You can check out online calculators to help you get a better idea of your expected costs so that you can plan ahead and ideally set money aside before baby arrives.
Ultimately, we can all agree that adorable babies are worth the cost!
