TTC and Benefits for next year?

[dancingirl21]

H and I are TTC starting in about 1 week. We need to enroll in our benefits for next year by November 15th. I'm wondering how much we should put in our FSA? Assuming we get pregnant within the next 5 months, the baby would be born next year. If I knew for sure, I would put all $2500 in. I know it's not a guarantee, but we TTC this past June and were pregnant within 1 month. Unfortunately that one ended in a d&c. So, we have been able to conceive quickly, but there's no saying how long it will take this time.

What would you do with the FSA?

[Deleted]

I would max it out.

[iheartvino]

I would max it out. Even if you don't get pregnant within the first five months, you will still need prenatal care if you get pregnant after five months. If you don't get pregnant by next October, you'll want to start testing with an RE. So either way, you're looking at spending a decent amount of money.

[arch01]

It depends-how is pregnancy billed? Is it global billing, meaning you get everything at the end or do you owe your deductible as you go?

I'd hesitate to put it all in. I know you've gotten PG quickly in the past, but given the average is 6 months, you could potentially be into the following year... and if you don't owe a dime until you deliver, you'd be stuck with $2500 to spend somewhere or lose it.

[dancingirl21]

Oct 29, 2012 8:22:12 GMT -5 arch01 said:

It depends-how is pregnancy billed? Is it global billing, meaning you get everything at the end or do you owe your deductible as you go?

I'd hesitate to put it all in. I know you've gotten PG quickly in the past, but given the average is 6 months, you could potentially be into the following year... and if you don't owe a dime until you deliver, you'd be stuck with $2500 to spend somewhere or lose it.

This last time, I had to go to my OB quite a few times leading up to the mc and there was a co-pay that went toward our $800 deductible. I also had blood drawn a few times and was billed for portions of that. My prenatal vitamins were also prescription and about $35/month. None of this will add up to $2500, though. We will also get contacts for both of us (close to $900) and could both do new glasses if it came down to needing to spend it. Obviously I'm still torn.

[arch01]

Oct 29, 2012 8:30:18 GMT -5 dancingirl21 said:

This last time, I had to go to my OB quite a few times leading up to the mc and there was a co-pay that went toward our $800 deductible. I also had blood drawn a few times and was billed for portions of that. My prenatal vitamins were also prescription and about $35/month. None of this will add up to $2500, though. We will also get contacts for both of us (close to $900) and could both do new glasses if it came down to needing to spend it. Obviously I'm still torn.

Honestly, I'd call your insurance company and get them to estimate how much you'd owe along the way with a uncomplicated pregnancy. Ask about ultrasounds, bloodwork, regular prenatal visits.

I'd do a minimum of $900, but hesitate to do the full amount. Good luck, it's a tough decision!

[lindyanne]

It would depend on how your plan is. I paid one $15 copay for my OB, two $75 copays for diagnostic work (when I had to get my rhogam shots) and I think that's all I paid. We did have some other out of pocket things we could have bought with it then but I don't know what all the rules are now since they changed. Do you have something else you could spend the money on if you dont' get pregnant - glasses, surgery etc?

[sillygoosegirl]

I'd max it out. If I didn't get pregnant in the first few months, DH would get LASIK.

[ellipses84]

I think you need to look at how much your insurance covers and how much you will pay OOP. My insurance actually covered prenatal and infant benefits better than other things, so I had trouble spending $750 (our max) that year. I know lots of people who had to spend more than $2500 OOP, though. I'm actually spending more OOP now that I have a toddler.

[dancingirl21]

Thank you. I need to call the insurance company and see what they cover.

[heygrey]

Can you use that money for over the counter med stuff if you don't use it all? If you're pregnant, but due in 2014 you could stock up on baby stuff in 2013. Just find out if it covers pricey things like breast pumps, should you expect to want one.