How to get ultrasound covered by insurance?

[Raene]

If you have a lay midwife and you have a problem (bleeding daily), how can you get an ultrasound and have it be covered by insurance?

Walking into the ER isn't an option b/c the doctors there keep telling me they won't do an ultrasound without an internal. I'm not willing to have an internal.

Thanks

[alegna]

Midwives here have an u/s tech they refer to... Does your midwife not have that? Or a friendly OB?

good luck!

-Angela

[Raene]

Hmm, well, if I am more specific about my exact problem, I have a CNM who is unwilling to let me have an ultrasound, so I need to find a way to get one without having a note from her.

I already had one u/s b/c I've been bleeding from 13 wks to present. I feel like I need peace of mind with another one, but she finds them to be risky and doesn't want me to have another.

I'm willing to take the risk, I just need to know how to do it and get coverage.

[wbg]

Mama...I think you should trust your body and I am concerned that your CNM is not listening to YOU. I would reconsider her as your HCP. She needs to support you and you need to be able to trust her.
Sorry, I am unable to offer more practical answers to your original question.

[HappyMommy2]

Do you have regular insurance? Just go to the OB and don't mention that you have a mw. Or act like you are switching care providers. Then, get your US and then decide what to do.

I agree with the pp that mw should be listening to your needs and wants. Otherwise, she is not a good fit.

[Raene]

Thank you...I will do that. You're right, not the best fit, but my only homebirth option.

[dogmom327]

Originally Posted by Raene

Hmm, well, if I am more specific about my exact problem, I have a CNM who is unwilling to let me have an ultrasound, so I need to find a way to get one without having a note from her.

This is a really bad sign. I'm so sorry this is your only option for your homebirth. I would be very concerned about what problems you will have with her later on if she's not listening to you now.

I have a MW who isn't licensed (it's optional here). She was going to have us see a local naturopath who has an u/s machine (and does homebirths) but I needed to have it done at a regular clinic to have my insurance cover it. My friend manages a clinic so she just asked one of her docs if they would do it for me and they were fine with that (we are in a very HB friendly area). We have a PPO and the only thing I heard from my insurance company was that they paid the bill in full.

[wbg]

Originally Posted by Raene

Thank you...I will do that. You're right, not the best fit, but my only homebirth option.

Okay, well then it might be worth getting shadow care with an OB so you can get the tests that make YOU feel comfortable. You can always refuse/ignore any unwanted OB advice.

Am so sorry this is your only HB option. I think it will be very helpful to sit down with her and talk through your feelings and concerns about how she handled this and how it will affect how she handles your concerns during labour. I know...easier said than done!!

Anyway, I hope your pregnancy journey gets a little smoother from here on. Sending you loads of love and positive energy.

[Overthemoon]

Originally Posted by Raene

If you have a lay midwife and you have a problem (bleeding daily), how can you get an ultrasound and have it be covered by insurance?

Walking into the ER isn't an option b/c the doctors there keep telling me they won't do an ultrasound without an internal. I'm not willing to have an internal.

Thanks

I went to a perinatologist for my ultrasounds this time (I am "advanced maternal age and wanted to have testing done). My insurance didn't have a problem paying for it. They have also paid for my blood work and I did call them about the homebirth with the lay midwife and I believe they will be paying for that also (she did a pre-approval ahead of time).
They would have paid for me to have the ultrasound on order of the midwife as well.
I'm not sure if I'd feel comfortable with a MW who didn't respect my wishes to have the testing I wanted with this pregnancy. My MW's motto is not, homebirth at any cost, and you bleeding definitely sends a red flag.
Much luck to you.

[XanaduMama]

Originally Posted by alegna

Midwives here have an u/s tech they refer to... Does your midwife not have that? Or a friendly OB?

good luck!

-Angela

That's what happened with us--I got the 20wk ultrasound, and we just went to an ultrasound clinic with my MW as referring provider. She was under the radar in my state, but it wasn't an issue, and insurance paid for it happily (even though they didn't cover my HB).

You could also try Planned Parenthood.