For women insured through large employer private plans, the average cost of having a baby in the United States in 2004 was more than $8,000, according to a study released by the March of Dimes Foundation.
"Having a baby is the most costly health event families are likely to experience during their childbearing years, and health insurance is central to obtaining maternity services critical to the health of the woman and her newborn," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "An uninsured healthy pregnancy can be a financial strain on young families, and a catastrophe in the case of a high-risk birth."
"It is well documented that a lack of prenatal care is associated with poor birth outcomes, including prematurity and low birthweight, and high out- of-pocket expenditures may discourage women from obtaining the care they need," Dr. Howse continued.
In the study, "The Healthcare Costs of Having a Baby," conducted by Thomson Healthcare, claims from more than 10 million employees and dependents in private plans were analyzed. Prenatal care, labor and delivery and post- partum costs during the three months following delivery were combined. Thomson found that employer-based insurance covered approximately 95 percent of maternity care.