What can you tell me about DSHS in WA ?

[mrsrobertson]

Just found out I'm expecting. Not quite 4 weeks. I'd like another home birth. Our previous 2 were CNM's and our insurance (Tricare standard) paid for most of it. There are no CNM's in my area. A friend told me that DSHS would cover a homebirth midwife. Have you used it? (Even better, are you military, homebirthed and used DSHS?) We qualify financially.. which is sad that as a military family we would qualify just based on income.... 

anyway!

Gimme whatcha got!

[Jennyanydots]

Yes, I understand that WA DSHS will cover a homebirth MW. We were pg earlier this fall and had a MC at 12 weeks, but prior to that I'd seen two MWs (neither were CNMs) and both accepted DSHS. We are in an insurance gap, with DP's new plan starting in the spring, but I was happy to find that for pg coverage, DSHS is pretty inclusive.

Good luck to you!

[SweetSilver]

Friend down the road had a midwife and homebirth and it was covered.  You just need to find a practitioner that will handle that insurance.

[ZAMsmama]

I had a homebirth that was covered by DSHS.  Just sign up with Molina (instead of community health plan?... there are 2 dshs options) and all the midwives I know will take it.  The only thing you will need to pay for is some supplies and the birth assistant, which in the seattle area runs $200-$300.  There are some midwives who use students to assist, but I'm not a huge fan of that.  My sister even had her birth center birth completely covered.

[SweetSilver]

The insurance choice you have with dshs can depend on the county.  You might not have a choice.  Your right, CHPW has many detractors, and I have heard practitioners say that they are hard for them to deal with.  However, both my friend and I have had trouble with Molina (with plain old Basic Health, not dshs/basic health+) and I have had zero trouble with CHPW since I switched over to them.  

[katt]

I'm in S. Kitsap County,  here in WA. I've had a home water-birth with both children, one in s.snohomish co. and over here in Kitsap.  Both were fully covered by dshs.  It was fairly easy.  I applied and then chose a provider, i chose chpw both times and I've never had a problem with them in the least.  After that i just presented my card and didn't worry about a thing.

If you think there's going to be a problem with anything I'd talk to your care provider first and ask them questions and then go from there.  

I had to pay for my birthkit (about 40$) for both births, provide the pool, and supposed to pay for the birth assistant with the second birth.

The first birth my MW had a student MWs for assistants.  I was fine with that.  The one who actually attended my birth (first) is now a partner in their group of 3 MWs.  :)  which I think is pretty cool.  For the second birth It was through a different group (different location) so her assistant is NOT a student.  Which is fine, it was 150 I think.  However, since I ended up delivering before anyone got here, including the assistant, I didn't have to pay for her.  Sweet!

clear as mud, yeah?