Anyone Have Insurance through the Plumber's or Pipefitter's Union?

[boigrrrlwonder]

I do. It uses the network of BCBS, which includes homebirth midwives, but in the benefits booklet it only talks about hospital birth. We of course are going to call, but I wanted to know if anyone who has insurance through the union has had success either way with getting a homebirth covered.

[Carson]

I think you just need to call. In the corporate world, different companies choosing BCBS still have different levels of service that they agree to for their particular company. Likewise, I think the different different locals set up their own insurance benefits and plans.

[murphysaangel]

I have ins through an Ironworkers health fund. It covered homebirth midwives through the medical insurance part, not the hospital. Not sure if yours in similar, but with our union, since they are self-insured, they do not have to follow any state insurance regulations - such as providing in-network coverage for an out-of-network provider if none are in your immediate area. So even though they COVER a home birth, they may not cover it IN-NETWORK. You'll have to pick up the deductible and the percentage not covered. And just because your insurance carrier (BC/BS) shows covering a home birth doesn't necessarily mean that your union plan automatically does. My advice is to call the Local office directly and speak to them.

[tayndrewsmama]

BCBSIL administers our insurance plan for the Line Construction Benefit Fund. Homebirths are covered at the 70% out of network rate. If your plan is set up similar to ours, you would need to call the fund office. I am sure that the local union office could direct you to that number as well as the back of your insurance card.