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MONDAY, Jan. 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Between 2008 and 2015, there was an increase in the average out-of-pocket spending for maternity care among women with employer-based insurance, according to a report published in the January issue of Health Affairs<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Michelle H. Moniz, M.D., from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and colleagues examined trends in cost sharing for maternity care among working women in employer-based plans before and after implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).<\/p>\n
The researchers found that average out-of-pocket spending for maternity care increased among women with employer-based insurance between 2008 and 2015 (from $3,069 to $4,569 for all modes of delivery); the increase was mainly driven by an increase in deductible payments. During the study period, the standardized cost of maternity care remained stable ($29,518 in 2008 to $29,314 in 2015) despite rising out-of-pocket spending. Out-of-pocket spending was higher for lower-income working women in 2008 to 2013 when controlling for potential confounders; due to a continued increase in spending among higher-income working women, the disparities disappeared in 2014 to 2015.<\/p>\n
“Our findings suggest that women with employer-based insurance continue to have substantial out-of-pocket spending for maternity care after implementation of the ACA,” the authors write. “State and federal policy makers should consider implementing policies to restrict cost sharing for maternity care.”<\/p>\n
One author disclosed financial ties to Bayer.<\/p>\n
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