Giving birth in the US

[Mtsm 0]

Hello , 

 

I am a US citizen residing outside of the United States, I am married to a non US citizen and are planning on delivering our baby in the US, in Philadelphia to be specific, I am not aware of visa requirements for my wife for this specific purpose, we were in Philadelphia last October and she was granted a tourist visa for 3 months, Does anyone know about cost of giving birth ( are we eligible for Medicaid , or as citizen should I buy insurance , or any other advice ). 

[Transborderwife 4,666]

11 minutes ago, Mtsm said:

Hello , 

 

I am a US citizen residing outside of the United States, I am married to a non US citizen and are planning on delivering our baby in the US, in Philadelphia to be specific, I am not aware of visa requirements for my wife for this specific purpose, we were in Philadelphia last October and she was granted a tourist visa for 3 months, Does anyone know about cost of giving birth ( are we eligible for Medicaid , or as citizen should I buy insurance , or any other advice ). 

cost anywhere between $8,000-100,000+.  your wife would not be eligible forinsurance or medicaid.  why give birth here? The child will be a USC regardless.  I'd also be concernedabout cbp possibly turning her away due to intent 

[KierenHby 899]

Airlines may not allow a pregnant passenger to board, or CBP may not allow an unfunded pregnant visitor into the US. She is not eligible for medicaid. 

 

Edit: Did she disclose her pregnancy to the CO? 

Edited January 3, 2017 by KierenHby

[Mtsm 0]

Hello Transborderwife,

 

Thank you for your reply , the sole purpose for us to deliver in the US is to have the best health services for my wife and our baby , I thought that Medicaid will provide the support for giving birth. I am not sure why the cbp would turn my wife for being pregnant , is that an issue ? 

 

Thank you in advance 

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Just now, Mtsm said:

Hello Transborderwife,

 

Thank you for your reply , the sole purpose for us to deliver in the US is to have the best health services for my wife and our baby , I thought that Medicaid will provide the support for giving birth. I am not sure why the cbp would turn my wife for being pregnant , is that an issue ? 

 

Thank you in advance 

no she is not Medicaid eligibile and to be honest why should she be?

 

it may look to cbp like she has intent to immigrate.  what country is she from?

[Mtsm 0]

I am sure a cbp knows that if a US citizen spouse want to be a resident can file for it. I can make such paperwork for her. Anyhow , 8000$- 100k$ is a long range and quite expensive , should I buy insurance ? I am not well aware of the procedure, can this be done online ? 

 

Thanks in advance 

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Just now, Mtsm said:

I am sure a cbp knows that if a US citizen spouse want to be a resident can file for it. I can make such paperwork for her. Anyhow , 8000$- 100k$ is a long range and quite expensive , should I buy insurance ? I am not well aware of the procedure, can this be done online ? 

 

Thanks in advance 

she's not eligible for insurance as I already stated.  and yes, they're well aware that you could file an aos after she enters, which is immigration fraud.  the range I gave you ranges from an uncomplicated birth to a complicated one.  you never know If you'll need services of specialists, nicu, etc

[Transborderwife 4,666]

also, I know very well what I'm talking about.  I had an unexpected birth here in the USA while not eligible for insurance.

[Mtsm 0]

What is a aos? I am not sure what u r talking about , the filling of a spouse should be filed to an embassy !? How can you file for immigrant visa while in the US ?! It's quite confusing . My issue was the cost of giving birth in the US and it sound expensive.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Just now, Mtsm said:

What is a aos? I am not sure what u r talking about , the filling of a spouse should be filed to an embassy !? How can you file for immigrant visa while in the US ?! It's quite confusing . My issue was the cost of giving birth in the US and it sound expensive.

read the guides and you'll see.  it's very expensive and not a great idea.  If you're dead set on doing it I'd go the midwife route.

[KierenHby 899]

As I stated earlier, some airlines do not allow a pregnant passenger to board. Furthermore, even if she reaches the US, CBP may prevent her from entering the US if she doesn't have access to funds to cover the birth. 

 

You haven't answered if she disclosed her pregnancy before being granted a B2 visa. 

[Mtsm 0]

Hi kierenhby, 

 

i am am not sure how your question is relevant to the cost of birth in the US , but to answer your question no we didn't know that we are having a baby but a week ago, my issue isn't with visa and immigration , we are more concenered on the hidden costs behind baby birth. 

 

Thank you all for your time and help 

[Unlockable 7,315]

The cost will be thousands of dollars. You can actually call some medical centers and get an estimate of uncomplicated births. Notice I said uncomplicated. If, God forbids, something were to complicate things then obviously the cost would skyrocket.

 

Also, you have a misunderstanding how medicaid works. It is set up for US citizens. Working citizens pay into medicaid with their paychecks until they are able to qualify for it. This is why foreigners would not be eligible. It would be like they are taking away from citizens. 

 

Try searching some pregnancy forums and ask the same questions regarding cost. You may get actual figures but of course your personal cost may vary.

 

Also, others have mentioned that if your spouse is too far along be prepared to be denied flying over.

Edited January 3, 2017 by NuestraUnion

[KierenHby 899]

If you just found out about the baby, I don't see how she could have a US birth on a 3 month visa. Am I missing something? 

As others have noted, as a tourist, she is not eligible for medicaid. You've been provided an estimated range of childbirth costs. A tourist is required to purchase medical insurance prior to travelling to the US. 

[David & Diana R 1,005]

2 hours ago, Mtsm said:

Hello Transborderwife,

 

Thank you for your reply , the sole purpose for us to deliver in the US is to have the best health services for my wife and our baby , I thought that Medicaid will provide the support for giving birth. I am not sure why the cbp would turn my wife for being pregnant , is that an issue ? 

 

Thank you in advance 

Wait...so you suggest US Citizens should pay for your babies delivery?  I always heard Canada had THE BEST MEDICAL CARE IN THE WORLD.  What happened to that?