An increasing variety of pregnant patients and recent parents are expressing frustration with having to pay in advance for labor and delivery before giving birth.

Typically, patients receive the bill only after their insurance covers a part of it, which in the case of pregnant patients often occurs after the top of the pregnancy. However, this was the case for some pregnant people taking in to kid’s message boards and other social media forums to report that their providers are asking them to pay ongoing fees sooner than expected, the report said.

Although this practice is legal, patient advocacy groups consider it unethical. However, healthcare providers say requests for upfront payment help ensure they’re paid for his or her services. However, it was difficult for researchers to track upfront payments because they’re considered a personal transaction between the provider and the patient.

Patients, medical billing experts and advocates say this billing practice is causing unexpected anxiety during an already stressful time. The estimates can sometimes exceed what patients ultimately owe, leading them to fight to get their a reimbursement in the event of a miscarriage or overpayment.

It’s “holding them hostage,” said Caitlin Donovan, senior director on the Patient Advocate Foundation.

Kathleen Clark, 39, recalls that she was 12 weeks pregnant when her doctor’s office in Cleveland, Tennessee, demanded an upfront payment of $960, the estimated amount she would owe after giving birth. Clark was surprised by the accusation, especially early in her pregnancy, during her second prenatal visit.

“You stand by the window, there’s a lot of people around, and you try to be really nice,” Clark recalled through tears. “So I paid.”

Previously, pregnant patients often had to pay extra for every prenatal visit, which sometimes led to them skipping needed visits to lower your expenses. However, the Affordable Care Act now requires industrial insurers to fully cover certain prenatal services.

Additionally, it’s increasingly common for patients to change providers or receive care from different providers for prenatal visits, labor and delivery – especially in rural areas where patient transfers are common. Some providers argue that requiring prepayments allows them to spread costs over your entire pregnancy, ensuring they’re compensated for the care they supply even in the event that they don’t ultimately manage the delivery.

“There are people who, unfortunately, are not paid for their work,” said Pamela Boatner, who works as a midwife at a hospital in Georgia.

Although the Affordable Care Act requires insurance for some prenatal services, it doesn’t prevent providers from billing patients in advance. Sabrina Corlette, co-director of the Center for Health Insurance Reform at Georgetown University, says it will be politically and logistically difficult for state and federal governments to schedule these payment claims.

Because of the legal gray area, Lacy Marshall, an insurance broker at Rapha Health and Life in Texas, advises clients to check with their insurer to see in the event that they can decline to prepay their deductible. Some insurance coverage prohibit network providers from requiring upfront payment. If clients may refuse, Marshall recommends that they first acknowledge themselves as a patient after which refuse to ensure they aren’t denied care.

Joy Burkhard, executive director of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, says asking pregnant patients to prepay is “another punch in the gut” during an already stressful experience.

“What if you don’t have money? Do you put it on credit cards and hope your credit card goes through?”

Can we collectively sigh over the burden we’ve felt since November 5?

Without a doubt, the election season has been a source of enormous stress and anxiety, leaving many individuals disillusioned, indignant and anxious about the future – each personally and collectively. As we watch with great concern as the Trump administration’s pick circus unfolds, it is time to practice self-care. Some people seek solace in travel, hoping to flee the emotional burden of the unknown and regain strength in a friendlier environment. I’m one in all those people.

Whether it is a quick jaunt to a close-by city or an prolonged sightseeing trip, travel can provide a much-needed break from the intensity of the political climate. As someone who likes to travel (in any situation) to unwind, listed below are a few of my favorite country locations and wellness spots that promise rest, rejuvenation, and a probability to reconnect with yourself.

No matter where you go, visiting any of those places can do wonders on your mental health.

I really like smaller cities that offer the same excitement as neighboring, larger cities. You’ll find it in Carmel-by-the-Sea, a captivating seaside village filled with fairytale cottages. It’s just a few hours south of cities like San Francisco and San Jose, but with scenic views of the Pacific Coast, it’s value the drive. Secret passageways and courtyards make it the perfect place to wander away in between exploring the small shops, cafes, art galleries and native markets. It all appears like you’re inside a storybook. Of course, the place called “by the sea” also has wonderful beaches. I stayed at Carmel Beach Hotel and each morning I might take a 5-minute walk to Carmel Beach across the street to look at the sunrise and eat breakfast amidst the sound of the crashing waves. For wildlife lovers, Point Lobos State Wildlife Refuge it’s an interesting place to walk along the coast and watch whales, seals and sea otters.

Florida stays one in all hottest tourist destinations in the country, and plenty of people visit Orlando for the theme parks. However, about 25 minutes from downtown is Lake Nona, an up-and-coming community that is an actual gem. Stretching roughly 27 miles, the location is ideal for many who need to relax and move at a leisurely pace, away from the tourist traps and crowded areas. There are several green areas on site, including a sculpture garden and bicycle paths. You’ll need to stay Hotel Fala to enjoy a wellness weekend. Their spa is rated one in all the best in Orlando, and each visit comes with access to the Lake Nona Performance Club, which offers bar-side fitness, yoga and respiratory classes. Wave offers live music and kid-friendly events comparable to a movie night in the garden, so it is a fun place to rejuvenate with the whole family.

When I feel of wellness destinations, one in all the first places that involves mind is Mii Amo in Sedona. It is positioned in the vortex of Boynton Canyon, a secluded hideaway known for its spiritual and healing practices. This makes it ideal for decompression and resetting. Each day of your stay includes spa credits that might be used for traditional services comparable to facials and massages. You may go a little bit deeper using hypnosis, past life regression evaluation, or aura readings. Of course, the surroundings of the red mountains also allow for stargazing and climbing. It’s a singular zen experience that prepares you to face adversity.

Everything at the Umstead Hotel in Cary, North Carolina, from the personalized turndown service to the lake views, is designed to encourage rest. They uniquely mix art, wellness and nature to make sure a peaceful stay. While there may be stunning art throughout the hotel, the real star of the property is the spa at the Umstead Hotel. Before each treatment, you can quickly while away your day by visiting the sauna, steam room, swimming pool or meditation courtyard. You’ll need to book the Piedmont Experience, a full-body acupressure treatment that releases tension. My favorite part is the little goody bag you receive after leaving the spa to proceed relaxing in the days to return.

Twin Farms is the place to pamper yourself because it is the only five-star all-inclusive resort in the state that combines rest, adventure and nature immersion. The property is ideal for couples, solo travelers or friends, and a must-see for many who enjoy adventure and a little bit of rest. (If you haven’t got another holiday trips or meetings planned, it’s value the splurge). As winter approaches, you can try your hand at activities comparable to ice skating, sledding, and snowshoeing. There are also loads of wellness activities available, comparable to yoga, guided meditation, maze walks, and a Japanese onsen bathhouse tucked away in the forest for ultimate peace and quiet.

The Spark Fund, the results of the collaboration Global Children’s Fund AND Imperativelaunched a youth-led initiative to provide $200,000 in grants to support Atlanta-based organizations focused on Black men’s mental health.

The initiative consists of a panel of black men aged 18-30 who were supplied with educational tools to assist them with the grantmaking process and equal opportunity training. The men then researched and chosen five organizations, each of which received a $40,000 grant.

Recipients: Black Male Initiative Georgia, Close Ties Leadership Program, Silence the Shame and The Counseling Brothers of Atlanta.

“As a 21-year-old Black man, I believe it is important to support the mental health of young Black men and boys because they face unique challenges related to systemic racism and societal expectations.” he said Kenneth Jones, Spark fund participant. “By supporting mental health, we can help break the stigma around seeking help and promote emotional well-being in our community.”

Dr. Avery Rosser, president and CEO of The Counseling Brothers of Atlanta, expressed gratitude for receiving the scholarship.

“These funds will allow us to provide free and limited counseling services to Black boys and men in Atlanta, ensuring they have access to the support they deserve,” Rosser said in a news release. “Additionally, we will be able to offer specialized training for mental health professionals, helping them better understand and address the unique experiences of Black men in counseling.”

A study conducted by Forbes shows that Georgia within the rating 49/50 when it comes to access to care. Other barriers to mental health take care of black men include inadequate insurance and a scarcity of mental health care facilities. According to research conducted by the American Psychiatric Association Black men represent just 4 percent of mental health professionals, which can contribute to the shortage of culturally competent mental health professionals amongst black men.