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The cost of childbirth
In the public: everything is reimbursed (except for a few extras, TV, etc.)
In a public hospital, all costs related to childbirth (gynecologist and anesthesiologist fees, epidural, delivery room), as well as those related to your stay (daily flat rate) are taken from 100% covered by Medicareup to 12 days after the birth of your baby. You will not be asked to participate in the costs, which will be reimbursed directly to the establishment where you will give birth. Costs for comfort, such as television or telephone, remain at your charge, if you have requested it. Likewise, a private room may also be charged in some hospitals. Check with your mutual. Some indeed offer support for this type of cost.
In a private clinic with an agreement: beware of fee overruns
As in the public sector, the costs of childbirth and accommodation are fully reimbursed at the clinic or at the private hospital approved by Social Security. But in this kind of maternity hospital, doctors (obstetricians and anesthetists) generally charge excess fees. Depending on your mutual, these will or will not be your responsibility. Here again, you are responsible for the comfort costs (private room, accompanying bed, television, telephone, accompanying meal, etc.). To know: according to a study carried out in 2011 by the online comparator Mutuelle.com, the excess fees of gynecologists and obstetricians vary greatly from one department to another. The highest concern the Ile-de-France, the North, the Ain, and the Alpes-Maritimes. Paris holds the record.
In a private clinic without agreement: variable costs
Choosing to give birth in a private maternity hospital without agreement is also make the choice of a very expensive childbirth. In these establishments, often very chic and very luxurious, the services are almost hotel-like. The costs of stay, comfort and excess fees can climb very quickly and reach colossal sums. In addition, you will be asked to advance all costs. These will then be partially reimbursed to you, up to the basic rate, by the Health Insurance (within 3 days with teletransmission by vital card). Once again, check with your complementary health care provider to find out what they will reimburse you.
Giving birth at home: an unbeatable price
Home birth is undoubtedly the cheapest. SIf you choose to give birth to your child at home, with the help of a midwife, her fees will be covered by Social Security up to 349,70 euros for a simple delivery. If the latter practices fee overruns and you have a good mutual, find out what it will pay. Finally, if necessary, the midwife can choose to have you hospitalized. She will usually have made an agreement with a nearby maternity hospital beforehand. Your support will then depend on the status of the chosen establishment (public, approved or not).
Home birth threatened?
Midwives who perform this type of childbirth must be insured, but the price of insurance is very high and so until then most midwives did not take out insurance and social security reimbursed without checking. Since spring 2013, midwives have been required to submit their insurance certificate to the Council of the Order of Midwives. Thus, many of them have stopped giving birth at home. Others preferred to increase their prices.