Prepaying medical insurance deductible?
Me asked:
My wife is pregnant and her OB said we have to prepay next year’s deductible. This sounds like a scam to me and I’m inclined to refuse. I’m not even sure it’s legal. Anyone know?
My wife is pregnant and her OB said we have to prepay next year’s deductible. This sounds like a scam to me and I’m inclined to refuse. I’m not even sure it’s legal. Anyone know?
Call your insurance company and ask. I agree with you, though. I would not pay it.
You pay your deductible after service has been rendered and after the claim has been processed by your insurance company.
Call your insurance company. If they say you don’t need to do it, call the OB and ask for a more detailed explanation. If it still does not sound right, tell the OB that you’ll contact the insurance commission or the attorney general in your state to see if this is even legal.
Perfectly legal.
Yes, it’s legal, and it’s a very common practice in obstetrics.
What they’re really asking is that you pre-pay for obstetrical services – the fact that you have insurance just means that all you have to pay is your deductible. They will bill the insurer as the services are rendered. If you switch OBs they will almost certainly refund any unused money.
I had to have my portion paid by the beginning of my 7th month. In your case I would make sure not to pay until after January 1st, just in case you wind up being able to claim medical expenses on your taxes this year. I hope not!
It did irk me, too. At the same time it was an expense I knew I’d have to pay, and I know my OB’s’ office worked with people who couldn’t pay it all but were making payments. And honestly taking care of it left us one less thing to have to worry about.
Best of luck!!!
No no no–if that dr is in network with the insurance they CANNOT charge you up front for your deductible—notify your insurance and ask them to intervene for you. If they overcharge you (which they do 99.999% of the time) it will be IMPOSSIBLE to get that money back…please don’t pay them until after the claims are processed and your insurance tells you how much you have to pay.