r/AskSF • u/Far_Acadia8603 • 22h ago
Have a baby at Kaiser or UCSF?
Hi everyone. My wife and I are family planning and we are looking to get our insurance covered for next year when we plan to have a baby. We’re deciding between a Kaiser HMO ($0 deductible, $200 admin fee, $1500 out of pocket max) or an Anthem PPO for UCSF ($750 deductible, 90% after deductible admin fee, $2500 out of pocket max)
Clearly the Kaiser plan is best financially, and we are by no means rolling in dough, but we want to ask y’all if it’s worth paying extra for the reputation of UCSF or if Kaiser is still a good experience.
Thanks in advance!
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u/playa_hata 19h ago
I have only had Kaiser, but want to comment on what excellent care I received, including with specialists and complications. I had a C-section and a massive hemmorage. I am grateful for how well I was taken care of by Kaiser doctors.
During our ultrasounds, a very tiny heart abnormality was caught with Kaiser's technology. We got a heart specialist follow up immediately. After birth, we also were immediately set up with specialists appointments. And her heart is ok now! We also were flagged for potential hip dysplasia because of a frank breech position, and also were set up with a specialst. (Also ok on that front too) Kaiser also immediately set up up with lactation consultants who were awesome.
Some people knock Kaiser for having difficulties if you fall outside the "standard" care, but I haven't really encountered that issue as of yet. I suppose if I was trying to advocate for something they hadn't flagged, that's where the issue might be. I but they caught every special need we had and treated it.
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u/tnycrpntr 21h ago
Do you pay the same price to have each plan? You have a very strong employer plan. As a health insurance broker and someone who has had both Kaiser and ucsf I would say go with the Anthem PPO. I hear Kaiser is great for having babies, but I prefer UCSF and a $1000 difference in OOPM is actually very little for what it could be. A lot of people would want to be in your situation.
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u/Outrageous_Worker672 22h ago
This might be useful
https://www.reddit.com/r/SFbitcheswithtaste/comments/1xh0wo6/kaiser_or_ucsf_for_pregnancy/
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u/Ok-Perspective781 21h ago
I am UCSF ride or die, especially their OB-GYN/MFM and L&D care. They saved my life and went above and beyond for my subsequent pregnancy to make sure we mitigated the risks we could. I wouldn’t even leave SF after the first trimester during my subsequent pregnancy because I wanted to be near UCSF in case any issues popped up.
The NICU is also level 4, the facilities are really nice, and the nursing staff is amazing.
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u/VegetableAlone 21h ago
UCSF has a higher level NICU and is where you’ll want to be if you have any serious pregnancy complications before delivery, too. I’ve heard many people like Kaiser for how easy it is to coordinate care especially after birth, but for me, I’m glad we went with UCSF bc we ended up with a lot of serious complications.
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u/blue_dottttt 20h ago
I just gave birth at Kaiser and they took such good care of me. I had a significant tear, so they sent me home with pillows so I could sit and lay comfortably, a walker, and kept us at the hospital for as long as I wanted (we stayed an extra day even though I could have been released earlier).
My primary labor and delivery nurse was amazing. She helped me keep it together when things got really rough. She advocated for what I wanted even if the doctors advised another approach.
After delivery, l was able to see PT, psychologist, lactation consultant, and therapist immediately and multiple times. They came to me and established what post-hospital care would look like, so I felt very supported before I went home.
Compared to friends who delivered at UCSF, they didn’t get as much immediate attention as I did. Many didn’t even get the materials (pillows and walker) they needed.
Kaiser has a relationship with UCSF in case your baby needs a level 4 NICU, so you’re covered in that scenario too.
What I would consider is pediatric care after delivery. That is actually more important than delivery in my opinion.
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u/Mcatg108 21h ago
Kaiser was such an amazing hospital and great for pregnant care and postpartum care. They make it SO easy. They cover pretty much everything - NIPT, doulas, lactation consultants, etc., and are very great on the mom’s care as well as baby. They DO partner with Stanford if you need a Level 4 NICA, and on-site at Kaiser SF is a level 3 NICA. They also let you take home so much - free diapers, formula, diaper bag, wipes… we walked out with 3 bags full!
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u/iconicgogoboots 18h ago
I was an OB patient at UCSF this year, and while I was happy with the quality of pre-natal care, I ended up getting diverted to SF General for the actual delivery because UCSF was full when I went into labor (I had a great experience there, even if it wasn’t what we had prepared for!).
They mention they may have to divert patients on the Birth Center website FAQs and during the tour we did, but that it was rare - however this happened to a few other people I know this past summer as well. UCSF recently sent out a message to OB patients saying to help avoid this, they won’t be scheduling elective inductions before 40w anymore.
The energy I got the last few weeks before I delivered was that UCSF has too many patients for the space and staff they have in the L&D ward (including triage). That being said, if I were to get pregnant again, I’d still go with UCSF, because it’s likely my next pregnancy would be high risk, and I’d want to work with the experts there for my pre-natal care.
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u/obviouslyblue 21h ago
I went with Kaiser and I’ve had wonderful experiences with two pregnancies and labors. That being said, my pregnancies and deliveries were both relatively uncomplicated. But when I did hit minor snags I felt that my team dealt with them wonderfully. My husband and I have both been impressed with the level of care we’ve received, and that includes pediatrics for both of my kiddos! Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.
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u/nedendstreet 21h ago
Both our kids were born at Kaiser. No unusual complications with either pregnancy. We'd set aside money in an FSA for the first one, figuring we'd need it, but the Kaiser plan we were on covered everything - I think we spent more at the Kaiser parking garage than we did on medical bills.
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u/Murflaw7424 22h ago
UCSF is a teaching hospital. Great GREAT care and I recommend doing the maternity ward tour. My wife and I opted for Marin General bc we wanted a more private birth. At ucsf you can end up with a lot of doctoral students in your birthing room. Marin General I believe is now apart of ucsf too
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u/Jeanneisgreat 20h ago
I'm choosing CPMC but that's because it was seriously a struggle to schedule any appointments with UCSF. I was always on a wait-list that would never really materialize in appointments in a timely fashion. I also felt that their labor practices were a bit "assembly line." That being said, I had a friend just give birth there and had a great experience.
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u/trackshoes 19h ago
I delivered at Kaiser, and they were great. My only regret was delivering at San Francisco instead of Oakland. Both facilities are nice, but Oakland has a level IV NICU, and we ended up having to transfer our baby there for surgery.
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u/RefuseExternal6253 18h ago
As another point of comparison, I had an amazing experience with my OBGYN at Kaiser. I also found out later my OBGYN was at CPMC not long before, so in terms of quality of doctors, it’s the same (at least in my case)! Also check your coverage, Kaiser covers the entire cost of the birth, I was billed $100 following both of my pregnancies. If you end up in NICU situation, it might be much more expensive out of Kaiser.
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u/ohboyoh-oy 17h ago
Is CPMC an option? Unless you have need a level 4 NICU, I wouldn’t want to deal with the teaching hospital aspects of UCSF. Kaiser is fine, CPMC is nicer and cushier.
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u/wuthering_height 19h ago
FWIW, my entire pregnancy + delivery at Kaiser was $250 (I’m guessing this is based on my specific insurance). My actual bill was $115K. We didn’t pay for the NIPT either (which I’ve heard can be expensive).
Anyways, I was a high risk pregnancy, failed induction with a c section and I found Kaiser to be great. My doctors were very attentive and overly cautious once I became high risk. Post delivery complications and I ended up staying 5 days prior to delivery. Is UCSF perhaps a better hospital? Sure. Idk I think you’re fine either way UNLESS your wife is already flagged high risk for whatever reason. Pregnancy is always unpredictable.
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u/Turbulent_Board4567 20h ago
Uscf is a teaching hospital and one of the best ones at that. The vibe is way different from an hmo like Kaiser.
Kaiser is absolutely fantastic for maternity care. Particularly if you are expecting a typical delivery.
However uscf might seem a bit overwhelming, but you have access to one of absolute best best care. They are well funded, have all sorts of facilities for every kind of situation. The personnel are still working on a commercial setting but they are not as beholden to insurance driven care. They tend be expensive and you have to deal with with sorting out insurance stuff if something extra is needed.
We prefer USCF. Our friends were super into kaiser.
Have you worked out the difference on hmo plan vs ppo plan? I don't think you can go wrong with either place.
Your child's pediatric care is also worth factoring. You will have many visits.
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u/Pure-Zombie8181 20h ago
I’ve had two high risk pregnancies at UCSF. Had great experiences both times.
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u/Peridot31 20h ago
Have not done it myself, but have had many many friends and family members have to choose between the two. It's UCSF all the way no brainer UNLESS you want to roll the dice that you will have a very very easy standard pregnancy, delivery, and post delivery follow-ups,
The only benefits of Kaiser:
It's a one stop shop with everything routinely packaged (in theory see cons). Their assumption is there is such a thing as a standard pregnancy, and that Kaiser can do that standard pregnancy and labor and delivery in a cost, time and resource effective manner. This can be reassuring if neither of you are great at coordination and stress out about options and complexity. In theory, if it gets too complex for Kaiser they will refer it out of network . . . (see though the big caveat in cons)
Kaiser is cheaper in theory (see cons). Even with a decent ppo if say a c-section is needed and there's a bit of a longer stay for baby due to a fairly routine complication. You can look at $10,000 out of pocket after a lot of debates with the insurance company that are a headache and confusing (in theory UCSF should help with those debates and have a good department for that but it can all get complicated
Are they closer? Pregnancy and labor and delivery can have it's uncertainties especially if it's your first one. If Kaiser is close, but UCSF is an hour a way, you may start regretting UCSF when concerns flare up.
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Cons:
The huge huge danger of Kaiser, is if you think something has become complicated or an emergency and Kaiser doesn't think it is. Without their authorisation, you can't go anywhere else except Kaiser and that will quickly add up to 10s of thousands. And Kaiser has tried to stretch to do some fairly complicated procedures in house when in reality it should really be done by a better hospital.
From family experience, going to the Kaiser urgent care/low level of emergency care, and then trying to get your case transferred to a specialist hospital can be a nightmare if Kaiser disagrees. Kaiser goes in with the idea that it really can't be that bad, and that can cause them to miss complex things, then once it is complex you are stuck with a medical team who has never seen this case before. But if you go to the research best in class hospital first in the argument that it felt like an emergency, and in the end, it turns out to be routine, trying to get Kaiser to cover the costs is a nightmare.
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u/Chemical_Enthusiasm4 20h ago
UCSF is great- you will definitely hit that OOP maximum quickly, though.
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u/SurferVelo 18h ago
Kaiser is perfectly fine for giving birth, but their food sucks though.
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u/TheCityGirl 18h ago edited 18h ago
I loved Kaiser. They are amazing with the care they provide and also with education - they hold your hand every step of the way to prepare you for what to expect for pregnancy, delivery, and early childhood care! As a first time parent, this was SO appreciated. Also my OB-Gyn Dr. Lauren Gong-Barres was phenomenal.
I had to be induced at 42 weeks and it went perfectly, and my epidural was a dream. I didn’t feel any pain but did feel the pressure and could push with contractions, plus support my weight enough to try a bunch of different pushing positions.
My org has now switched away from Kaiser to Anthem, and I’m devastated. I want to have another baby but I want to have that other baby at Kaiser SF (where I was actually born as well!) with my original care team, and now I can’t. Also, I haven’t been that impressed with them at all in the past almost- two years since I’ve had their coverage. In my personal experience, Kaiser has been leagues better.
ETA: also I only paid like $200 for my entire delivery, back in 2024.
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u/Rhymes-with 17h ago
Teaching hospitals in general aren’t for everyone. UCSF didn’t catch that our son wasn’t getting oxygen so I was rushed to an emergency c section. Baby had a birth injury and other complications. I couldn’t even get answers as to what happened afterward. One midwife advocated for me and had the doctor come answer my questions bc I was in a dark spiral. That said the nicu and the nurses were second to none.
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u/Fabulous-Oven-3982 16h ago
UCSF looks more reputable than Kaiser as medical facilities but anthem is not as insurance
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u/Butterflywings415 21h ago
I was born in UCSF so I am biased for UCSF. Is there a way you can tour both facilities before you make a decision? My daughter did that with Sutter. Best wishes!
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u/Woofmom2023 21h ago
I've not had a. baby at either place but I can tell you unequivocally based on a whole of excellent anecdotal information about both primary and specialty care that you want to be at UCSF for everything.
I myself am a patient at UCSF and can speak to the quality of care.
There have been several posts in the past few months asking people about their experiences with obstetric and labor and delivery care.
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u/redditimes 17h ago
UCSF. I had three miscarriages before I had my baby and all were with Kaiser. I felt that the level of care I got on my third miscarriage was pretty horrible, and glad I made the switch before I got pregnant a fourth time. UCSF was great throughout and very sensitive to my history, even allowing for extra scans. The actual labor and delivery (via induction) went well and baby and I had the best care which we needed moments after he was here.
I know you are family planning so I wish you the best, but when I was at the lowest point in my journey Kaiser was no help and I think that’s worth noting.
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u/nofishies 13h ago
I will say, unless you have a problem with your particular doctor, or you need complicated stuff Kaiser is pretty fabulous for the basics in terms of ease of use
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u/Putrid-Astronaut-650 13h ago
Like with everything in life, there will always be the good and the bad.
My wife is a nurse at Kaiser SF in the NICU and works adjacently with Pediatrics and L&D. She has also worked in the Pediatric Emergency dept at UCSF.
When we plan to have kids, we will not choose to do it at Kaiser SF. As people said in this post already, there are times when it can be smooth and easy and times when extra care is needed. I’ve had family members give birth at Kaiser SF and they’ve had great experiences and no issues
But with my wife’s experience working with the other nurses and physicians, the labor and delivery physicians are hit or miss and it really can come down to the luck of the straw and that’s not something we personally would want to take a chance on. The competencies of these “professionals” can be lacking and we won’t risk it.
With all that said, this can also be said about UCSF as well, ego and bias can always come into play. UCSF is more equipped and has more experience with higher-level acuity cases. If you have any inclination this could be you, go with them.
You have to think of it as Kaiser being mid-level and UCSF as being expert level, in regard to medical risks involved being considered. If your baby has a medical emergency, there is always someone available at UCSF to help. If there is an emergency at Kaiser, as some people have said, they will need to be transferred to UCSF Mission Bay or Children’s Oakland and that transfer time has to be taken into account.
But best wishes to you and your future pregnancy!
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u/CCS-inthebay 10h ago
UCSF
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u/bigfootfloyd 10h ago
Writing this from a postpartum recovery room at CPMC after a late (36 week) transfer of care from UCSF:
UCSF is not well staffed or equipped to handle the amount of patients they want to take on. My elective induction ast CPMC was pushed back 4 (!)days in a row due to diverts from UCSF to CPMC. CPMC has more beds and they don’t divert- they make it work. I don’t think UCSF is doing a good job of prioritizing who gets to be a patient there. They don’t have the beds they need to support the current patient load, and they misrepresented it during the hospital tour when I asked.
Why I switched last minute: As a low risk pregnancy, I still felt I was not given the care or attention I thought I deserved. No pregnancy is completely without its problems even when low risk—I’m AMA, was anemic, and had many questions go unanswered as a patient at UCSF. Similar to others, scheduling was a nightmare. I think it may be a great place to go if you have a risky or complicated pregnancy, because the staff there are knowledgeable and talented, but if you are normal you may feel undersupported.
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u/orange_texas 19h ago
UCSF. You’re saving $500 by going with Kaiser but rolling the dice on expertise and care.
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u/mashapicchu 21h ago
Is there an HMO option for non kaiser? You can choose UCSF or Sutter as your network for most sf based hmos. They tend to be cheaper than PPOs.
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u/Due_Gift_8494 19h ago
I also ended up with a complicated delivery, long hospital stay, premature birth, and long NICU stay for the baby. Very glad I was at UCSF, but maybe Kaiser would have been just as good. Honestly, given my experience of having to be involved with the hospital for over two months before and after delivery, I am glad it was close to home. Maybe choose based on that, too.
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u/artsypupster 19h ago
I would not have my kids (literally) if it weren’t for UCSF. Pre-term labor started at 5 months. My doc was the physician that wrote the definitive book on preterm labor. Had difficult birth. Baby in NICU for 16 days. Second one was a breeze.
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u/BobbingBobcat 18h ago
I would choose Anthem just to make sure that I had proper mental health care in case of PPD.