Keep expenses down when your baby is born

A new baby is a source of joy—and bills. You may feel overwhelmed once you get home from the hospital, but you can keep a steady hand on your finances as you balance feedings, diaper changes, and sleep. A recent article on the U.S. News & World Report website explains what to do:

• Audit your bill. Request an itemized bill from your hospital and check it for errors. You may find duplications, charges for procedures and medications you didn’t receive, and so forth. If so, contact the hospital’s billing department to request a reduction.

• Understand your insurance. Get out your insurance company’s explanation of benefits and refer to it as you check your bill, paying attention to anything your policy didn’t cover. You may find mistakes, which you should bring to the attention of both the insurance company and the hospital billing department as soon as possible.

• Research financial aid. You may qualify for financial assistance based on your income and family status. Your hospital’s website should have information on both its own benefits and also charitable organizations that may be in a position to help you.