Question about multiples...

Specialties NICU

Published

Hello:

I am a frequent lurker and have a brief question. I was wondering if any of you know what parents usually do for financial support for NICU medical bills. I am doing research for a paper. Its for a psychology class, a what would you do scenario...If I were to become pg w/ triplets( I am NOT planning this), I think the medical bills alone could wipe us out! Our ins. right now only pays for 90% of maternity hospital stays(seems like this is becoming more common~ when I had my two it was 100%) Any advice about where I might look for the answer to this would be appreciated! I'm in NC.

Thanks!

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Most of our parents have to get some state assistance since the bill is so high.

Christine

Hello:

I am a frequent lurker and have a brief question. I was wondering if any of you know what parents usually do for financial support for NICU medical bills. I am doing research for a paper. Its for a psychology class, a what would you do scenario...If I were to become pg w/ triplets( I am NOT planning this), I think the medical bills alone could wipe us out! Our ins. right now only pays for 90% of maternity hospital stays(seems like this is becoming more common~ when I had my two it was 100%) Any advice about where I might look for the answer to this would be appreciated! I'm in NC.

Thanks!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

If you are private pay, you have a cap on your insurance...many are a million per person for lifetime. With multiples, depending on what is wrong with them, you would reach that quickly. Until they meet the cap, you are responsible for the rest if you have a percentage to pay. The babies are usually eligible for aid to handicapped kids, Medicaid, etc, but it won't cover 100 percent. Unless you are a welfare person, you are going to pay eventually.

There was a family where I live that had a DD with cancer....they went bankrupt and lost everything and then the little girl died. The way our health care is run is absurd. If you don't work, you get it all, if you are middle class, you are screwed. No WIC, no food stamps, etc. Okay...off the soapbox now!

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Specializes in NICU.

Where I work, almost all preemies are eligible for state funding to supplement what their insurance (or Medicaid) pays. Since most multiples are preemies, they'd also be eligible. Basically, the more premature they are, the more time they'll spend in the hospital, and the more state funding they'll get. This continues after discharge and helps out with the medical bills these kids have for the first few years of their lives.

Our social worker gets all this set up with the familes, usually within the week of the preemie's birth. It also covers other non-premature babies, like those with birth defects or neurological problems.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I would suggest contacting a social worker, and requesting an interview for the purposes of gathering information for your paper. They are a wealth of information on funding and assistance for high medical costs. Good luck!

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I would suggest contacting a social worker, and requesting an interview for the purposes of gathering information for your paper. They are a wealth of information on funding and assistance for high medical costs. Good luck!

Thank you so much, I actually found a ton online, at Soc svc website...should be enough for my paper.

Thanks again for all the responses! I was up all night thinking what would I do if I had triplets... :uhoh3:

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