Anyone know if Mainecare pays for a midwife?

[*farmergirl*]

Basically what the title says. Does Mainecare pay for midwifes? That is if I can find a midwife.....

[*farmergirl*]

I did find that mainecare says it pays for certified nurse midwifes but I also read (from a different source) that they pay only through a hospital. I'm thinking that means if the hospital has a midwife she can get paid but not a midwife doing a home birth?

[Italiamom]

You may have already tried this, but if you haven't, post this to the Maine tribal area too.  And good luck!!

[LittleBirdy]

I would be really surprised if Mainecare paid for this, given that CPM's are not regulated by the state government.  However, I know my midwives worked on a sliding fee scale so if you're really wanting a homebirth don't rule it out on cost right away.  Where are you looking for a midwife?

[*farmergirl*]

thanks for replying.

i have found a midwife surprisingly nearby and she does work on a sliding scale as you mention. We having a really tight budget but midwife fees are so low (especially compared to what the hospital charges) I'd feel bad asking to pay any less.

for those wondering about mainecare and midwifes I have found out for sure that midwifes are not paid for unless they are part of a hospital's personal.

[lizajane7]

I am in the same boat. I really wanted to have a homebirth and decided that even though Mainecare will not cover it, it is a very worthwhile expense. We make very little, so we are at the very bottom of the sliding scale and our midwives are very flexible about payment. I have been wondering if they would cover doula services. I highly doubt that they will, but if anyone knows, I'd love to find out. We have a 3 year old daughter and no family close enough to get to us in time for the birth, so we were hoping to hire a professional doula to help with our daughter during the labor, but I have no idea what it will cost. I know some insurance companies will cover the use of doulas, but I'm not sure if that would even apply in a homebirth situation, since they won't even cover the birth.

[mossimo12]

Yup same here.  I checked with some midwives, but as you found out only hospital midwives take mainecare.  It is so crazy inexpensive (for an insurance company not for us) to go with a homebirth it drives me crazy that it's not covered!

I would suggest calling Mainecare to find out if they cover doulas (I'd be surprised if they do).  You can contact birthroots (http://www.ourbirthroots.org/) or contact some doulas.  I bet some would work for trade if need be (as well as some midwives are willing to barter down some/all of their cost depending on what you can offer)
.

[LittleBirdy]

Are you near Belfast at all?  The Maternal Wellness Center (an offshoot of Morningstar Midwifery, my *awesome* midwives) has a "Doula Open House" once a month.  It might be a great opportunity to speak to several doulas.  They might also be able to hook you up with a student doula who would provide her services free/very cheap for the learning experience.

Here is a link to the MWC: http://www.morningstarmwc.org/Home_Page.html 

Originally Posted by lizajane7 

I am in the same boat. I really wanted to have a homebirth and decided that even though Mainecare will not cover it, it is a very worthwhile expense. We make very little, so we are at the very bottom of the sliding scale and our midwives are very flexible about payment. I have been wondering if they would cover doula services. I highly doubt that they will, but if anyone knows, I'd love to find out. We have a 3 year old daughter and no family close enough to get to us in time for the birth, so we were hoping to hire a professional doula to help with our daughter during the labor, but I have no idea what it will cost. I know some insurance companies will cover the use of doulas, but I'm not sure if that would even apply in a homebirth situation, since they won't even cover the birth.

[Christine4kiddos]

I am a NH Certified Midwife, and I accept MaineCare. basically, because I am licensed in NH, Mainecare will recognize me as a provider, given that mt practice is within 15 miles of the Maine Border. WHere do you live in Maine? I can direct you to another practice as well who accepts MaineCare! PM me if you would like!

[Karma Jack]

My wife and I are in the same boat as the previous posts- we are in portland maine and we have mainecare... we really really want to do a home birth, we are trying to scrape together the money- but it would change our world our world dramatically if mainecare would cover this! We are willing to go the extra mile, to whatever it takes... so far it has been a model pregnancy...anyone who can help please PM Thanks!