Average cost of Vaginal birth is between $10k - $15k anything less is suspect and that is for self pay. To say that the VO's do not understand is grossly incorrect.

The form attached above by lynniebabes is just a bill for hospital stay only plus $1200 as stated in the form.

Let's read the starting paragraphs carefully - -

Thank you for choosing West Houston Medical Center as your provider of choice. We strive to provide caring, comprehensive, cost effective quality services to the patients, families and community we serve.
The prices quoted today for your delivery are discounted rates that are contingent upon payment being received in full prior to discharge. The discounted rates below are for hospital charges only and do not include the physician, pathology, radiology or other fees for other professional services.

Please find below if it woul help anyone for planning purposes

https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-have-a-baby-2018-4#14-arizona-37

NothingDoMe:
I don't see why the American Embassy would blame the applicant for a discount offered an American hospital. The American hospital is fully under the jurisdiction of the of the American government. They should fix whatever scam they feel the hospitals are perpetrating.

It is starting to feel like their hand nor fit touch those guys so na who their hand fit reach na e go suffer am. I have seen parents that were offended by a child and the child escaped the beating. The rest of the innocent kids were now the receipient of the beating: Kpai Kpai kpai all of you are the same as your brother. Kpai kpai kpai.

Unto what na?

This happen only to nigerians and nigerians alone in other part of the world where i have friends and i can confirm the american visa officer only ask for receipt and zero balance and no issue about discount offered by the hospital because of self paid but it so sad nigerians paying cash are treated differently with disrespect by the same American embassy claiming equality around the world with a different set of rules ..it shameful and a double standard!

Viola2017:


yes its true but i still paid cash although i added extra $10 to the officer that helped me.

They took cash (as per naija way) 180 dols. Plus all them add something which is discretionary.

duvocharrison:



Abeg can I get ur details I have desame issue .stephanie.onyi@yahoo.co.uk

I just sent u an email.

lynniebabes:
Here is a form I was given when I walked into the hospital to make inquiries. I need help my interview is next week. And most of this VO don’t understand that this is a flat rate given to ever selfpay patient in the hospital. I have my zero balance receipt o. And I’m dew next two months.with this problems is it ok to state I’m going for childbirth.

Contact the hospital they have another letter to back up the zero balance that states you are not receiving help from govt This will help.

I hope u are getting a medical visa this time.
Good luck.

Hello house, pls can someone give me the link or put me through on how to book a 221g interview. Thanks

[quote author=ashedzi post=73271763][/quote].

Hi, have you been able to scheduled your interview. Is the Jan and DEC dates still available?

veleta:
On this discount ish,most of these VO's don't seem to understand how these things works.First off,those of them saying they paid 30k or thereabouts failed to mention that their insurance companies took care of that and most times,these insurance companies negotiate these fees to the barest minimum and most times times,it takes time for them to pay.Its common sense that these hospitals would prefer self pay patients as they get their money immediately.These same discounts they give to self pay patient is what insurance companies end up paying after quoting outrageous bills.

My advice will be when requesting cost of delivery from hospital,insist that it should be included that whatever fee they are charging is for self pay and that you reject any form of medical assistance.Also make sure you sign it,with that your argument when going for visa renewal will hold water.

It depends on how much you paid or didn’t pay. While I absolutely hate what the VOs are doing (I they’re just looking for any excuse to deny people) some people’s bills on here is also really low. I’ve seen people saying they paid $2,000 - $3,500 for hospital bills and between $1,500 to $2,500 for doctor’s bills and I’m left wondering how No be this same America we dey born so?

I had a baby in 2016, and I had/have what is considered very very good insurance (Anthem BCBS). My deductible was $500 and I had to pay that before insurance will even pay anything. My insurance covered 90% of my services and I paid the remaining 10%. I ended up paying around $2300 thereabouts out of pocket (OB, Anesthesia, Hospital and my $500 deductible) and that is excluding pediatrician. If I can pay that much out of pocket as my co-pay and deductible, guess how much my insurance paid? So no, insurance companies don’t pay that little.

priscai:



I just sent u an email.

Thanks ve replied urs

MamaOO:

It depends on how much you paid or didn’t pay. While I absolutely hate what the VOs are doing (I they’re just looking for any excuse to deny people) some people’s bills on here is also really low. I’ve seen people saying they paid $2,000 - $3,500 for hospital bills and between $1,500 to $2,500 for doctor’s bills and I’m left wondering how No be this same America we dey born so?

I had a baby in 2016, and I had/have what is considered very very good insurance (Anthem BCBS). My deductible was $500 and I had to pay that before insurance will even pay anything. My insurance covered 90% of my services and I paid the remaining 10%. I ended up paying around $2300 thereabouts out of pocket (OB, Anesthesia, Hospital and my $500 deductible) and that is excluding pediatrician. If I can pay that much out of pocket as my co-pay and deductible, guess how much my insurance paid? So no, insurance companies don’t pay that little.

If you paid upon arrival and your insurance reimbursed you, then you received the self-pay price from the hospital and doctor and your insurance merely paid you based on the amount you were charged, which was the price for self paying patients. I understand you self-paid and received the self-pay price because international insurances refund your payment according to your medical expenses, in other words, you have to pay out of pocket before being compensated for your expenses. We are only talking about insurance for US Citizens where they do not pay in advance and are reimbursed by insurance. The amount where the insurance is billed 15-25k but only end up paying about $2000 in the end.

veleta:
On this discount ish,most of these VO's don't seem to understand how these things works.First off,those of them saying they paid 30k or thereabouts failed to mention that their insurance companies took care of that and most times,these insurance companies negotiate these fees to the barest minimum and most times times,it takes time for them to pay.Its common sense that these hospitals would prefer self pay patients as they get their money immediately.These same discounts they give to self pay patient is what insurance companies end up paying after quoting outrageous bills.

This is what everybody needs to know and inform the VO at the moment of the interview. If you do not know this, you will not know how to explain the question of "Why is it so cheap if a delivery is 20k? This must be govt funds or Medicaid!"

Vlesparza:


If you paid upon arrival and your insurance reimbursed you, then you received the self-pay price from the hospital and doctor and your insurance merely paid you based on the amount you were charged, which was the price for self paying patients. I understand you self-paid and received the self-pay price because international insurances refund your payment according to your medical expenses, in other words, you have to pay out of pocket before being compensated for your expenses. We are only talking about insurance for US Citizens where they do not pay in advance and are reimbursed by insurance. The amount where the insurance is billed 15-25k but only end up paying about $2000 in the end.

I wasn’t an international patient.... I live in the United States and no, I wasn’t reimbursed by the insurance, what I paid was my deductible and coninsurance which is $500 + 10% of all fees. Most people don’t even have insurances that cover 100% except they are on Medi-Cal or work for the government (in this case their monthly insurance premiums are significantly higher than people with private or workplace insurance)

dear All,

please can i see a sample of what an itemized obstetrics bill look like?

please help

[quote author=chikos post=73403790]Hello house, pls can someone give me the link or put me through on how to book a 221g interview. Thanks[/quote

Go to apply for visa, put your user I'd and password, it will ask you to book for appointment. We got 5th DEC ,2018 in Abuja. I booked on Tuesday this week

[quote author=nneka3000 post=73417149][/quote.



Thanks

MamaOO:

I wasn’t an international patient.... I live in the United States and no, I wasn’t reimbursed by the insurance, what I paid was my deductible and coninsurance which is $500 + 10% of all fees. Most people don’t even have insurances that cover 100% except they are on Medi-Cal or work for the government (in this case their monthly insurance premiums are significantly higher than people with private or workplace insurance)

Got this letter from Houston Northwest Hospital. Anyone can request for it with her name and account no on it.
Thanks

[quote author=nneka3000 post=73417149][/quote]seems Abuja has closer date and Lagos has the pressure
Lagos so far is May 2019

Hello good morning house. I called the hospital they agreed to send me a financial statement and also a letter to state that the 3000 is a flat rate charge for selfpay. I hope this counts. My interview is next week under 221g category. I’m expecting my LO in few weeks so I have to travel next month. I’m just concerned that when I was filling my ds160 form I didn’t mention anything relating pregnancy or childbirth and I paid for b1/b2 visa. How do I defend that in front of the VO and what other hospital can anyone recommend in Houston. I want a hospital that don’t do the discount thing. That I can pay about 15000$ Thanks .

@yettyolaseni I wish west hospital medical center can give me a letter like this too. I called so many times they seem so adamant and insisting to include the discount fee. I regret using them

lynniebabes:
@yettyolaseni I wish west hospital medical center can give me a letter like this too. I called so many times they seem so adamant and insisting to include the discount fee. I regret using them

Have you tried sending them a mail as regards it? As they'll sure have an email address you can contact them with.

My sister is having her interview next week, I pray all goes on well with her..... She also has the intention of going to the US to give birth.

.

With all these issues about discounts being given to patients and the VO saying a particular amount is too small to give birth in the US, the doctor I planned on using gave me bills for herself and the hospital at a total of $5,600 for vaginal delivery and a little below $7,000 for CS. Should I find another doctor whose bill is higher than the one I got already? Also, I’d appreciate suggestions in Houston precisely.

lynniebabes:
Hello good morning house. I called the hospital they agreed to send me a financial statement and also a letter to state that the 3000 is a flat rate charge for selfpay. I hope this counts. My interview is next week under 221g category. I’m expecting my LO in few weeks so I have to travel next month. I’m just concerned that when I was filling my ds160 form I didn’t mention anything relating pregnancy or childbirth and I paid for b1/b2 visa. How do I defend that in front of the VO and what other hospital can anyone recommend in Houston. I want a hospital that don’t do the discount thing. That I can pay about 15000$ Thanks .

Try oakbend...

Akaay03:
dear All,

please can i see a sample of what an itemized obstetrics bill look like?

please help

please people, kindly help with is

Hi Mamas,

When is the best time to get a doctor’s fit to fly letter. A week or 2 weeks before you travel? Or a month?

Thank you

mldtemi:
Hi Mamas,

When is the best time to get a doctor’s fit to fly letter. A week or 2 weeks before you travel? Or a month?

Thank you

Well, i got mine 2 days to travel.I feel the closer to your travel date or the last appointment before you travel

Yettyolaseni:


Got this letter from Houston Northwest Hospital. Anyone can request for it with her name and account no on it.
Thanks

www.doctoresparati.com in El Paso is offering a similar letter once you enroll stating the same information. Basically, it explains the matter of the prices even before you have your baby in case it is your first baby and you are applying for Visa. A letter of zero balance is also provided after delivery.

Your total bill is $7460 USD from what you stated
If asked

lynniebabes:
Hello good day house. I got my visa on 2016 purpose was conference which I attended. Got married 2017 and had my daughter at west Houston medical center. My hospital bill was discounted cos I was selfpay. I paid 3000$ for hospital bill. When I got the itemized bill I noticed that 14,919$ was discounted from my bill. And also got an email that my baby lab bill was 2,756 after discount paid 360$. I get this discount when I tell them I’m paying cash. Now with what is going on the VO denies you when you get huge discounts even with the zero balance receipt. My question is should one call the hospital, reach an agreement, pay an extra 4000 or so? Then get an itemized bill stating you have no discount. I think that way the V.O will feel much better and grant you visa and also when going to the USA stay away from discounted hospital. I paid my my doctors bill 2600$ epidural 1500$ Thanks.

Please does someone know whether it is lawful to get a drivers licence in US with my B1/B2 visa

What ever amount you will present ensure you can cover the cost from your financial standing.

Supernatural198:
Good day everyone.....with all the recent news of hospital bills been ridiculously argued about,i am confused and worried,pls help me with this questions.i am about to apply as am also expecting due next year,which amount is best in this case to convince the vo?i currently have hospital bill of $13000,while doctor charge is $4500,other bills are not included....is this also a red flag cos am now confused....pls house i need your opinions cos am yet to apply because i am still yet to confirm my hospital and time is ticking....awaiting responses.Thanks