America has the highest childbirth costs in the world. But how much does it really cost to give birth without insurance?
The average cost of giving birth in the U.S. can range from $10,000 to $30,000 or more, even for those with health insurance. If there are complications of any kind, the medical costs can increase into the hundreds of thousands!
Some experts suggest childbirth expenses contribute to thousands of American families filing for bankruptcy each year.
The costs are so high that some people may even decide not to have children. Or some pregnant mothers may feel they cannot afford all of the prenatal or postpartum care they need, and skip corners trying to save money.
All expectant mothers should be able to afford the medical care they need for themselves and their newborns!
Understanding the costs associated with childbirth can help you prepare financially for the arrival of your baby.
Learn More: How To Pay for Pregnancy and Childbirth Expenses
Compare Pricing on the Best Insurance Plans Available
The Cost of Childbirth
The costs associated with childbirth can vary greatly between states and medical facilities.
It’s hard to pinpoint an exact price because there can also be fluctuation for the same services at the same facility. But we have compiled a list of some of the most common services to help give you an idea of what to expect:
Prenatal Care
- Doctor Appointments – Typically around 12 to 15 office visits that can range from $90 to $500 per visit.
- Ultrasounds – Each ultrasound can cost between $200 and $300.
- Blood tests and screenings – These may range from $100 to $300 each.
Delivery Costs
- Natural delivery – The average cost can range from $5,000 to $15,000 if everything goes smoothly and there are no complications.
- Cesarean section – Costs for a “c-section” can be significantly higher, ranging from $7,500 to $25,000 or more, depending on the situation and medical requirements.
Hospital Stays
- The cost for a maternity room varies, but typically it’s about $1,500 to $3,000 per night. The length of stay usually depends on the type of delivery and any complications.
Anesthesia
- An epidural can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500. Other types of pain management might cost a little less.
Additional Treatments and Care
- If complications arise, additional treatments and extended hospital stays can significantly increase costs. If your baby is premature or needs intensive care, the NICU costs can average nearly $50,000.
Postnatal Care
- New Mother Care – Post-delivery check-ups and services such as lactation specialists or mental health counseling need to be factored in. Postpartum care in the year after birth can cost uninsured mothers much more than the $3,100 average for insured women.
- Newborn Care – Pediatrician checkups, vaccinations, and additional screenings needed for the new baby can be very expensive in the first few months of life.
Medications
- Prescriptions for pain medication, antibiotics, or other drugs can range in price from $10 to $800 or more per month.
Overall, lack of insurance coverage can nearly double the out-of-pocket costs for childbirth compared to those with insurance. Uninsured patients are often charged much higher rates by hospitals and other medical facilities.
Consider Health Sharing
If you’re not yet pregnant, but plan to be, a health sharing plan may be a better, more affordable option especially if you don’t qualify for a significant subsidy under the Affordable Care Act.
Health sharing is a more cost-effective, budget-friendly alternative to traditional health insurance products. They are not for-profit corporations. Instead, health sharing ministries are non-profit associations of like-minded, health conscious people who agree to help pay the unexpected medical expenses of fellow members.
Some are affiliated with religious groups. Others are non-denominational or secular.
With healthsharing, the cost of pregnancy and other pre-existing conditions typically aren’t shareable right away. Often there’s a waiting period after you join before maternity costs can be shared. And some religious-affiliated plans require you to be married and have your husband on the same plan before they will share pregnancy and childbirth costs.
Choose Your Own Doctor
Unlike most ACA-style traditional health insurance HMOs and PPOs being sold today, healthsharing plans generally allow you to choose your own doctors and healthcare facilities.
Health share plans usually don’t have limited networks of authorized providers. In most plans, you can use your benefits with any provider. There are some affordable health sharing plans out there for people who want to take more control over their own pregnancy and childbirth experience.
The Best Health Sharing Plans For Maternity Benefits
Here are five of the very best health share plans in the country when it comes to sharing benefits for maternity, childbirth, and neonatal costs.
Some are religiously-affiliated, others are secular. Each has advantages and disadvantages, so you should definitely check out the member guidelines before you sign up.
You can get price quotes for each plan by following the links below. If you see a plan that suits your needs, you can enroll in just minutes online.
Altrua Healthshare
- Maternity Cost-Sharing: Available
- Eligible Membership Tiers: Diamond and Emerald
- Waiting Period: 90 days from membership activation
- Member’s Out-of-Pocket Cost: $5,000
- Annual Sharing Limit: $12,000 in the first year, $25,000 per year thereafter
netWell Maternity
- Maternity Cost-Sharing: Yes
- Eligible Memberships: Elite + option only
- Waiting Period: 6 months from membership start
- Member’s Out-of-Pocket Responsibility: None
- Annual Sharing Limit: $15,000
OneShare Health Maternity
- Offers Maternity Cost-Sharing: YES
- Eligible Memberships: Classic Crown, Complete Basic, Complete Enhanced, Complete Crown only
- Waiting Period: Conception must occur after plan effective date
- Member’s Out of Pocket Responsibility: $5,000
- Annual Sharing Limit: $5,000 for natural delivery, $8,000 for c-section, $50,000 for birth with health-threatening complications
Medi-Share
- Offers Maternity Cost-Sharing: YES
- Available Plans: Classic Crown, Complete Basic, Complete Enhanced, Complete Crown only
- Waiting Period: Conception must occur after the plan’s effective date
- Out-of-Pocket Costs: $5,000
- Annual Sharing Limits: $5,000 for a natural delivery, $8,000 for C-section and $50,000 for births with health-threatening complications
HSA Secure Maternity
- Offers Maternity Cost-Sharing: YES
- Eligible Memberships: Secure, Care+
- Waiting Period: Maternity benefits begin 60 days after the start of the membership.
- Member’s Financial Responsibility: Before maternity costs are shared, members must pay an amount equal to twice their plan’s standard Initial Unshared Amount (IUA).
- Annual Sharing Limit: There is no annual limit on the amount that can be shared for maternity expenses.
- Eligibility Requirements: Must be a business owner or have verifiable self-employment income.
Learn More: Best Healthshare Plans for Maternity – Health Sharing Plans for Childbirth and Beyond
Compare Pricing on the Best HealthShare Plans Available
Try Alternative Birth Centers
Hospitals are expensive, and there are more comfortable and affordable options for childbirth –– especially when there are no expected complications.
Home Births
Planned home births attended by registered midwives can cost significantly less than hospital births!
Birthing Centers
Birthing Centers are often more affordable options.
A package of care including prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care can run around $4,900, which is much lower than many hospital births.
Midwife Care
Using a midwife, either at a birth center or for a home birth, can be a cheaper alternative.
A midwife can provide a calmer and more customized experience. On average, birth with a midwife costs approximately 66% less than a vaginal delivery in a hospital.
Reducing Costs When You Don’t Have Insurance
If you’re already expecting, you can look for a health insurance plan that provides immediate coverage.
If you are low-income, you should also check to see if you qualify for Medicaid or other government health insurance programs. Depending on your household income, you may qualify for a subsidy and be eligible for low-cost or free state-sponsored health insurance.
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is another possibility. This model charges a flat monthly fee for comprehensive primary care services and can help manage prenatal and postnatal care costs.
Connect with a Personal Benefits Manager to help you find the right plan to significantly reduce your pregnancy and childbirth costs!
Additional Options
Sometimes it takes a little extra effort to find ways to reduce your maternity costs.
Here are a few suggestions that may help:
- Be an Informed Consumer – Review your insurance coverage options carefully, choose in-network providers, and avoid unnecessary procedures like epidurals that can significantly increase costs.
- Use a Hospital Charge Estimator – Many hospitals have online tools that allow you to estimate the cost of childbirth based on your specific situation.
- Negotiate Rates – Some hospitals offer discounts for upfront payment or provide sliding scale fees based on income. Explain your financial situation and politely ask the hospital billing department for a reduced bill. They are often willing to negotiate costs with uninsured patients.
- Seek Charity – Look for charity care organizations or Hill-Burton facilities that can provide free or low-cost prenatal and childbirth services.
- Explore Crowdfunding – Options like GoFundMe may help you raise money from your community to help cover the costs.
- Work Out a Payment Plan – Many hospitals and providers offer payment plans to spread out the cost over time.
- Carefully Review Charges – Ask for an itemized bill to identify and challenge any potential errors or overcharges. You can use resources like Healthcare Bluebook to check if you’re being charged fair prices.
- Access Resources – Programs such as Fair Health, a non-profit organization that provides data on healthcare costs across the United States, can help you find the most affordable services in your area.
With a little persistence and creativity, you should be able to find some good ways to keep maternity costs within your family budget!
Preparation is Key
No loving parents should put off having children due to the expense alone.
While the cost of giving birth without insurance can be daunting, there are options that can help make the process more affordable.
Some people may qualify for subsidies that can help cover insurance costs. Others prefer the freedom and flexibility of health sharing plans. There are alternatives that can help your family continue to grow and be healthy.
Don’t wait! Contact a Personal Benefits Manager today for a free case analysis, recommendation, and personalized quote.
For Further Reading: Does MediShare Offer Maternity Coverage? | Paying for Maternity Care When You Don’t Have an Insurance Plan | What are the Best Family Health Plans for 2024?
