Billing homebirth to Cigna (or other) in MA

[tigermouse]

I'm due in March, having a home birth and am in the midst of coordinating payment through my insurance company. I have a PPO with Cigna and it seems many have been able to pull this off but one thing is coming up that has me totally perplexed. 

They apparently require that said midwife be backed up by an OBGYN. Has anyone run into this before? What specifically are they looking for and how is this typically handled with a homebirth midwife in MA. 

Does this mean getting tandem care from an OB? Or just specifying a backup OB in the event a transfer / section is needed?

Thanks in advance!

ps: crossposted to homebirth, apologies if you're reading this twice.

[Buddhamom]

We have a PPO Cigna plan but in CT and they didn't mention anything about her having to be backed up by an OB, but they did say she was considered "out of network". 

[Partera2001]

Hi - I think the best thing is to ask your midwife if she has a collaborative agreement with an ob/gyn.  I am a homebirth midwife in CT and per our state statutes we need a collaborative agreement with an ob.  This does not mean all of our transfers go to this MD, because of course the emergencies go to the nearest hospital.  But, rather this is someone who has agreed to assume care in non-emergent situations or to act as a consultant if there is any complication during the pregnancy or for gyn clients as well.  Unfortunately, I am not versed in the requirements for MA midwives.  But, fwiw we don't have any problem getting reimbursed from Cigna in CT.

[BethiePauls]

Partera - are you a CNM or a CPM? I wonder if that makes a difference at all with insurance reimbursement...