Summary
Some U.S. OB-GYNs are requiring pregnant women to prepay for maternity care, a shift from traditional billing after delivery. The practice, while legal, is criticized as unethical by patient advocates, adding financial and emotional stress during pregnancy.
Providers argue it ensures compensation amid rising maternity care costs and high-deductible insurance plans. Critics say it can lead to inflated estimates, complicate provider switches, and deter prenatal care. Refunds for overpayments often require patient advocacy, exacerbating stress.
Experts note the legal gray area and challenges in regulating such payment practices.
prepaying in general in the healthcare field is bs. the eob needs to be run so that anything you pay is counted toward your maximum out of pocket. I find providers that want some sort of prepayment don’t put any effort toward putting in or correcting a claim so that the costs count.