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.
We have always had to do that when using private healthcare (Ireland). Up front and non-refundable cost was around 700 euro iirc so not a wildly different amount and probably higher now. They always told us up front though. Being told while you’re standing there is tremendous pressure to put someone under who may be struggling financially and faced with “I need to care for my baby”.
Having said that our public system is fully free and very good. We have gone both public and private.