Insurance and Homebirths - Page 2

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by DannyJulian89

What about if your insurance specifically says "Will not cover planned home births" in the policy? Has anyone ever had a company that said that, and then convinced them to change their mind, or at least pay for part? Our last birth was in a hospital because we couldn't afford to pay a midwife. We're thinking of a UC next time, or maybe start saving now

An insurance company can say what they like in their handbook but they have to abide by the law of the state (that is why some InsCos don't provide coverage in states with certain mandates) in which they provide insurance, and the Code of Federal Regulations Title 45, Volume 1, which has the force of law.

Code of Federal Regulations Title 45, Volume 1, A ttending provider defined. For purposes of this section, attending provider means an individual who is licensed under applicable State law to provide maternity or pediatric care and who is directly responsible for providing maternity or pediatric care to a mother or newborn child.

c) Construction. With respect to this section, the following rules of construction apply:

(1) Hospital stays not mandatory. This section does not require a mother to--

(i) Give birth in a hospital; or

(ii) Stay in the hospital for a fixed period of time following the birth of her child.

This is what the Texas Dept of Health Midwifery board says about midwifes in Texas. What state do you live in?

Texas citizens have been engaging the services of midwives throughout the history of the state. Direct Entry Midwives (or Licensed Midwives), are able to practice legally in Texas as authorized by the Texas Midwifery Act. This law requires the Texas Department of State Health Services to maintain a current roster of licensed midwives, who must renew on a two year cycle, and establishes the Texas Midwifery Board to work with DSHS to develop further Midwifery Rules, and to address standards of practice, complaint review procedures, and educational standards.

My mw is a CPM. My insurance, BCBS of Illinois, said that I could only do a homebirth with a doctor, or a birthing center with a doc or a CNM. My mw made a couple of phone calls and that was it... until after the birth when she had to make a few more. I had to pay $1400 of $2700. 6 weeks after the birth I got a call from the insurance company wanting to know what hospital I delivered at so I could get reimbursed (strange, huh); they didn't even know where I delivered! The caller, a nurse, and I had a nice chat about my homebirth and midwifery care.

[starry_mama]

I'm in New Hampshire.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by DannyJulian89

I'm in New Hampshire.

http://www.cfmidwifery.org/states/states.asp?ST=38

New Hampshire requires certification to practice midwifery in the state.

After 20 years of being regulated under the Deptartment of Health and Human Services, New Hampshire enacted legislation in 1999 creating an independent Midwifery Council, a regulatory agency with rule-making authority. The council is currently drafting rules for the practice of midwifery.


New Hampshire Midwifery Council

A state agency

Carol Leonard, NHCM, Chairperson
New Hampshire Midwifery Council
585 Hopkinton Rd
Hopkinton, New Hampshire 03229
USA
Primary Phone: [phone]

Description

Provide the necessary supervision, care, and advice to women during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period; conduct vaginal deliveries on the midwife's own responsibility, and care for the newborn and the infant. Care to mother and child includes preventive measures, detection of abnormal conditions, procurement of medical assistance when necessary, execution of emergency measures in the absence of medical help, and consulting with a physician whenever there are significant deviations from normal or if there is a medical emergency in either the mother or the infant.
Statute/Rules NH RSA 326-D; Administrative Rules Chapter Mid 100 - 500

New Hampshire Midwives Association

Sherry Stevens, CPM, President
124 Winona Road
Meredith, New Hampshire 03253
USA
Primary Phone: [phone]
Website: http://www.newhampshiremidwives.org/

and...
http://www.nhmidwives.org/insurance.html