Health Care
Health Insurance
Take a good, long look at your health insurance.
Does it cover pregnancy checkups, delivery, and new baby care?
Will it cover well-baby visits? Immunizations? If you’re in
an HMO or PPO, are your doctor and hospital on the list of
providers? If you get new insurance while you’re pregnant,
make sure pre-existing conditions are covered.
Add your baby to your insurance as soon
as she’s born. Most companies allow a 30-day grace period,
but ask beforehand and notify your employer and the insurance
company as soon as possible after the baby arrives.
Health Care Reimbursement Accounts
If your employer offers a health care reimbursement
account, and you know you will be paying uninsured expenses,
consider opening an account. Health care reimbursement accounts
allow you to set aside pre-tax money and get that money back
when you submit receipts for medical expenses. The only drawback
to these accounts is that you will lose any money you don’t
spend during the year. Set aside only enough money to pay
for expenses you are reasonably certain you will have.
Almost all medical expenses are eligible
for reimbursement, including vaccinations, lab fees, Lamaze
classes (but not other childbirth classes), and mileage to
and from the doctor (10 cents per mile). Any medical expense
that would be eligible for a deduction on your tax return
is eligible. For more information on what is allowed, visit
the IRS Web
site.
Choosing a Pediatrician
Start looking for a pediatrician at least
three months before the baby is due. Get recommendations from
other parents, your obstetrician, and a hospital referral
service. Consult your insurance company’s list of providers.
When you have a list of possibilities, make some phone calls.
Ask the following questions:
- Does the doctor have privileges at the hospital where
you will give birth?
- Where is the office?
- What are the practice’s office hours?
- Are there other doctors in the group or is it a solo practice?
- If it’s a group, can you schedule appointments with your
chosen doctor or will you get the doctor who is available?
- If it’s a solo practice, who covers the practice when
the doctor is not available?
- How can the doctor be reached after hours and on weekends?
- How are phone calls handled after hours? Is there a nurse
line for questions? (Babies always seem to get sick at night
or on the weekend. We don’t know how they do it, but they
do.)
- Is there a separate waiting room for contagious children?
- What insurance carriers are accepted?
- What are the fees and payment policies of the practice?
Once you’ve narrowed your choices to two
or three, call and ask for an interview visit. Some doctors
charge for such a visit, and others don’t. Ask questions and
observe to find out:
- Does the doctor do all of the exam, or does a nurse or
nurse practitioner assist? Some doctors like to maintain
a good relationship with the children by having a nurse
give shots and draw blood.
- Does the doctor thoroughly and patiently answer your questions?
- Does the doctor’s general philosophy and manner feel comfortable
to you?
- What are the doctor’s views on antibiotics? Immunizations?
Diaper training? Anything else you feel strongly about?
Immunizations
Vaccinations are important and are required
for daycare and kindergarten. They’re also most effective
if they’re done according to schedule, before age two. It’s
hard to watch your baby cry, but the shots hurt for only a
moment, and they can help your child avoid a lot of pain and
misery. Ask your doctor or local health department for an
immunization schedule and stick to it.
Oddly enough, immunizations are not always
covered by insurance. If your insurance doesn’t cover them,
you can save money by going to the local public health department
for shots, where they are usually free.
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