So Frustrated! Just Venting.

[Chembrlee]

I was really excited about having a home birth but it looks like it wont happen. It seems our insurance will not cover a home birth. My husband went to his benefits coordinator and she flat out refuses to approve it.

We CAN NOT afford to pay out of pocket the full amount. We are planning on using the money to buy a car that will fit all of us.

I don't understand how I can read posts on here and other forums from those who live in the same city and have theirs covered. How did they manage it? My husband says a midwife told him no insurance will cover a home birth but I know that's not true.

Our insurance will cover midwives but only at a birth center. Well that one is 40 minutes away and I will end up delivering in the car because I don't have a usual labor.

I'm so upset right now.

[Belle]

What insurance company do you have? Do the Birth Center midwives do homebirths? They can bill the insurance and just not charge a facility fee.

[Chembrlee]

It's Tribal Health/Blue Shield PPO

None of the midwives at the birthing center do home births although they have the experience.

I'm so upset I have a headache.

[SwanMom]

I had a homebirth covered by insurance--I paid $80 out of pocket for the whole thing. I'm in Washington State. It's amazing how different policies are from state to state, company to company. It's the same country! Have you looked at the sample letter to an insurance company? If it doesn't work for you, it might help pave the way for someone in the future.

[Sijae]

have you approached any midwives about a lower fee, time payments or barter?

Also, no car in the world would be worth me birthing at a hospital!

[Chembrlee]

We finally found a midwife that actually deals with insurance herself. We have an appointment with her a week from Friday. She actually works out of the birthing center part time but has her own practice. I'm hoping to go to the birth center for the prenatles and labs (if needed) and have her come to the appartment for the delivery. She bills out of network to get covered and our insurance covers 50% which we can live with.

I'm feeling a lot better now. I just hope we mesh well.

Thanks for listening.

[bclare]

One of the things which attracted us to our midwives (well, we love them, but one of the big perks) was that they use an insurance billing company who knows what to do. We don't know if it will be covered or not, but I know they said that in no way will they be mentioning anything about "homebirth" here in Maryland. They will merely state that as CNM's they attended a birth-- no one needs to know where.....Good luck!

[bclare]

I should add that I have many friends who have worked with midwives at birthing centers and had truly wonderful births they loved. So, you don't have to sacrifice everything.....

[gabeyho]

Originally Posted by Chembrlee

We finally found a midwife that actually deals with insurance herself. We have an appointment with her a week from Friday. She actually works out of the birthing center part time but has her own practice. I'm hoping to go to the birth center for the prenatles and labs (if needed) and have her come to the appartment for the delivery. She bills out of network to get covered and our insurance covers 50% which we can live with.

I'm feeling a lot better now. I just hope we mesh well.

Thanks for listening.

That was going to be my suggestion. Esp. if you have PPO, you can always get out-of-network coverage at a lower amount. Good luck!

[almadianna]

Originally Posted by Chembrlee

It's Tribal Health/Blue Shield PPO

None of the midwives at the birthing center do home births although they have the experience.

I'm so upset I have a headache.

I see you found someone that will work with you guys but I wanted to add that Tribal Health/Blue Shield PPO will absolutely pay for homebirths. I have talked to them myself about it.