It’s that time of year again when companies start their employee benefits renewal period, giving everyone a chance to either stick with their current health insurance or pick a new plan. In the past, I’ve preferred more expensive health insurance packages, but since my husband and I are planning to start a family soon, our priorities have shifted. We don’t have a set timeline yet, but we’re thinking it could be within the next year or two. So, choosing the right health insurance has become a big deal for us.
**Pregnancy and PPO Insurance**
A PPO plan lets you pick any doctor within a larger network, unlike an HMO. But if you’re pregnant, the downside is that you’ll have to pay 20% of maternity and hospital costs, plus your deductible. It’s important to think about your maximum out-of-pocket costs because unexpected medical needs or a high-risk pregnancy could make you hit that number quickly. PPOs usually have higher premiums than HMOs, which means more out-of-pocket expenses. For example, our PPO plan costs us $120 per paycheck, whereas an HMO would only be $15 per paycheck.
**Pregnancy and HMO Insurance**
The best thing about an HMO plan is the lower cost. Premiums are generally lower compared to PPOs, depending on your employer. Many HMO plans cover most, if not all, maternity care costs. However, the catch is that you’re restricted to doctors within the HMO network, and you need a referral from your primary care physician.
**PPO vs. HMO: Our Decision**
I was really keen on using midwives because I’m naturally a bit scared of hospitals. But the thought of potentially facing an $8,000 bill if anything went wrong made us choose the HMO. By going with the HMO, we’re saving $200 a month on premiums and getting free maternity care services. This choice has brought me peace of mind, as I didn’t want to be stressed about finances while pregnant. Stress can be harmful to the baby, so being content with our health insurance plan helps prevent complications. Only time will tell if this was the right decision, but for now, I’m very happy with it. Additionally, I’m planning to keep my stress levels low by exercising, doing yoga, enjoying occasional massages from my husband, and drinking green tea.