re: When to expect a bill from the insurance company for baby delivery?

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If the bill is coming directly from the hospital, would they just issue one for the max $2500 if the actual total is more than that? Or will they issue whatever the actual number is, then I have to work it out with insurance?

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First off, The hospital is going to send a bill to the insurance company for like $374,000 or some other stupid amount.

The insurance company is going to open the bill, laugh, look up their contract with the hospital, and find out that their contract says the agreed-upon amount is something like $9,200.

The insurance company will then see what your deductible and co-insurance is, and determine, how much of that $9,200 you will owe. They subtract that from the $9,200 and send hospital a check for that amount.

The hospital will then send you a bill for whatever part of the $9,200 you owe.

In theory, that's the deal. In practice, it can be more complex due to errors at various points.

Also, your out of pocket max doesn't necessairly mean you will pay $2,500. You may pay less depending on what portion, if any, your deductible is, and what your co-pays and co-insurance rates are.

The process then continues with anyone else who sends you a bill.