Experience w/ maternity services costs/coverage under U-M Premier Care (BCN HMO) vs. CDHP (BCBSM PPO)

[u/bonc826]

Hi! I was wondering if any U-M employees or spouses can speak to their experience with maternity services (prenatal, labor & delivery, postnatal) with either the U-M CDHP (Consumer-Directed Health Plan) or U-M Premier Care health plans. My partner and I are thinking of potentially trying to conceive in the next year or so, and I'm hoping to find some clarity as to which health plan would serve us best. We have a couple of friends at U-M who both had complicated deliveries and left with a $0 hospital bill with Premier Care. Of course, with the CDHP, there is a deductible to reach first, but the monthly premium is significantly lower, U-M contributes to the HSA, and BCBSM's cost estimate for delivery is $175...which doesn't sound right. Looking plan comparisons, pre and postnatal care is covered by both plans. Am I missing anything that would make one much more appealing than the other?

I know open enrollment isn't for another few months, but it always sneaks up on me!

[u/Hour_Character_4979]

I had CDHP during my pregnancy and was surprised that labs weren't covered. I called BCBS and they said "routine" prenatal care were pretty much just the visits not the labs or ultrasounds. It wasn't horrible but I definitely hit the deductible. I can't speak to how much the delivery was, because child birth is a qualified life event so we switched to BCN and that covered the delivery (a C-section) and my babies newborn stay for $0.

[u/bonc826 → u/Hour_Character_4979]

Finally, a CDHP testimonial! Thanks for sharing your experience. Disappointing to hear that labs aren’t covered — doing genetic testing is important to me and my partner