I'm so conflicted!

[suprgrl]

: Prepare for random, possible incoherent, rambling thoughts......

I would really like to have a homebirth. I interviewed a midwife that I really like.

The problem is my stupid insurance won't cover it. They cover maternity care, but only someone with an MD after their name :

I talked with two individuals from my ins. company on the phone today and I was told that since my policy does not cover midwifery care at all, they cannot cover a homebirth midwife at all. Not out of network, not anything. Well, the first guy told me it would be considered out of network, so I called the midwife and left her a message saying we could do it (it would be covered 60% out of network), but then they first guy's supervisor gave me a call and told me they couldn't cover it at all.

He did suggest that I talk to my husband's employer and see if I could get an exception granted through them since it is their particular policy that does not allow midwives to be covered.

So I am conflicted on a few things. First this is a bunch of hassle and I don't feel like I know what I am doing or talking about.

Part of me gets nervous about a homebirth. The "what if something goes wrong thing". For some weird reason, even though I know in my mind it is not founded on fact, I feel safer in some ways in a hospital.

The hospital where I had DS had a pretty baby friendly birth center. Things went well during labor: I was left alone in my dark room with my mom and dh to bounce on the birthing ball. Every couple hours the nurse would come in to check on me/ monitor the baby for a few minutes.

I would have rather squatted for birth, but didn't voice my wishes when the room got crazy when I was fully dialated, so I was on my back being told when to push and for how long.....

Then when ds was born he was whisked away unnecessarily to the NICU due to meconium staining. He was fine the whole time, but didn't get to nurse for 5 hours while he just sat there in the NICU, breathing fine : I really wish I would have stood up to that more. That is the only thing that really pisses me off about the experience. I think he would have done at least as well being with me.

Another thing I don't like about the hospital is that I don't get the OB that I see during the whole pregancy. I see whoever happens to be on call. So what if I just lucked out and got a good OB that time? And that is why things went well?

I really would like to have a homebirth, but if I can't get insurance to pay for it, I will have to go with the hospital. Which I think will be okay, but not what I want. There is no way we can afford the midwife on our own.

We need a new car/minivan. (I currently drive a two door with ds in the back, and as I get more pg I will not be able to get in and out of the backseat with him, and there is no way two carseats would work in a two door car). And DH's car has a broken axel that needs to get fixed. So we do NOT have money to pay for a homebirth.

This sucks! The whole system! Midwives should always be included in any plan that includes OB's. In fact policies should cover midwives over OB's since OB's are a specialty doctor. You should need a referral from you midwife to see an OB. Geez. This is so messed up!

This midwife is so great. It isn't fair that I should have to go back to the OB who does three routine ultrasounds and dopplers at every visit and spends 5 quick minutes with me if I am lucky during which time I can ask one or two quick questions. And then I don't even know what Dr will walk into the room when it is time to push. Ugh! I'm getting really worked up here. : : :
Just needed to vent I guess.

Ronna

[katie9143]

Lots of mws will reduce their rate for people who truely cannot afford them or let you work out a payment plan. Talk to this woman and if she cant help you maybe you can find another that would be able to work with your financial situation.

That is the best advice i can give!

[Emilie]

talk to your mw about a payment plan and do some reading on homebirth to be sure it is what you want to do.
If it is you can find a way.

[~Heyokha~]

I hear you. I hassled with my insurance company and seemed to get different answers every time I called. Finally they told me that they would not pay unless it is legally mandated by the state : Okay........ I didnt realize that any state legally mandates HB.
Like the PP's stated, check with your MW. My MW usually charges 3000-3500, but if you pay out of pocket its much less. She also has payment plans etc... goog luck, I hope you get the birth that is right and empowering for you

[Josette Marie]

See if your midwife will take payments or check and see if your dh employeer will cover it. It's worth the effort.

I had a great so/so natural birth with my second one that made me want a homebirth. I said to myself I can do this at home!

I didn't like at the hospital that they would take my baby away for hrs for checks. I wanted him right near me!

[ericswifey27]

Originally Posted by indigo515

I hear you. I hassled with my insurance company and seemed to get different answers every time I called. Finally they told me that they would not pay unless it is legally mandated by the state : Okay........ I didnt realize that any state legally mandates HB.
Like the PP's stated, check with your MW. My MW usually charges 3000-3500, but if you pay out of pocket its much less. She also has payment plans etc... goog luck, I hope you get the birth that is right and empowering for you

How do you find out in which states it is legally mandated? I am in California and just as p.o'd as the OP that we even have to jump through these hoops to try to get homebirth paid for. It doesn't even make sense financially- If I birth in a hospital, it will cost the insurance company MUCH more than what a homebirth costs. I've thought about calling my insurance co. and fighting... but I really don't know if I have the energy to do this, knowing that the chances of it getting paid for are next to nothing...

[~Heyokha~]

Originally Posted by ericswifey27

How do you find out in which states it is legally mandated? I am in California and just as p.o'd as the OP that we even have to jump through these hoops to try to get homebirth paid for. It doesn't even make sense financially- If I birth in a hospital, it will cost the insurance company MUCH more than what a homebirth costs. I've thought about calling my insurance co. and fighting... but I really don't know if I have the energy to do this, knowing that the chances of it getting paid for are next to nothing...

I could be wrong but I am pretty sure it is not legally mandated in any state.

[nannyboo]

some midwives might know tricks for dealing with insurance--terms to use, etc., to make it legit. i'd ask for the supevisor's supervisor.

our insurance covered 50% of my homebirth. what really makes me mad is that my homebirth was FAAAAR cheaper than any hospital birth would have been. the insurance company should have PAID us for the homebirth.

[MommytoTwo]

In FL ins companies are legally required to pay for hb/midwives - you may look into the law where you are. Your mw should know.

[ericswifey27]

Originally Posted by nannyboo

some midwives might know tricks for dealing with insurance--terms to use, etc., to make it legit. i'd ask for the supevisor's supervisor.

our insurance covered 50% of my homebirth. what really makes me mad is that my homebirth was FAAAAR cheaper than any hospital birth would have been. the insurance company should have PAID us for the homebirth.

Yep, that's how I feel too. We are saving them $$. They should be kissing our... and sending us a bouquet of flowers

[suprgrl]

Homebirth midwives just recently became legal in my state, so I think we are a long way from it being mandated
I think my only hope is to try to get dh's company to make an exception for me. I wonder if that costs them $$ to make that possible for me. I would be willing to pay the extra cost. I am sure it would be less than having to pay a midwife out of pocket.

Thanks everyone Hopefully it will work out. I will talk to dh's company about it tomorrow and give you all an update.

[WAmommy]

I missed what insurance plan you have.

Our insurance policy said "no" they wouldn't cover. Midwives called them and were told "no" they wouldn't cover. We took a leap of faith and paid the midwives out of pocket, prepared to fight the insurance company after the fact.

Following the birth of my baby, I sent the invoice with a cover letter to the insurance company. They (Aetna) sent me a check for 100% coverage, no questions asked. I was shocked, and thrilled.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

I didn't have a homebirth w/ my first for similar reasons. I really regret it. My homebirth with my second was so much better, it's not even in the same ballpark. It's worth paying for. Really.

[applejuice]

Have a homebirth.

I had no insurance for three of my four and paid for everything out of pocket.

It was worth it.

[mamaverdi]

IMvHO, homebirth is worth finding the money for. AND insurance companies don't always tell the truth about what they will and won't cover. Talk to the MIDWIFE about what she is able to get covered. She may have a billing person or know someone who does. Billing people have experience getting things covered. Also, sometimes, submitting it, and waiting for reimbursement works too.

Both of our homebirths were while my dh was in grad school. Talk about no money. But we found the money. HOW exactly will just depend. But we did.

[suprgrl]

Good news!

I talked with the insurance guy at dh's company, and he said that it shouldn't be a problem. He asked me to send him some info about my midwife and he was going to add midwifery care to our policy, he just wants to make sure that the plan he writes up will cover the midwife that I want. The way he talked made it sound like he would change the whole policy so that anyone who works for the company would be able to have a homebirth midwife!! That would be awesome!
It is not set in stone yet, but he sounded as if it was no problem at all. I didn't even need to plead my case! YAY!! Please pray/send good vibes/keep your fingers crossed that it all goes through!
I went ahead and set up an appointment with the midwife for later this week. I'm so glad this looks like it will work out! This means they would cover 100% of the cost... except my deductible which is only $150.

[Gray's Mommy]

That is very good news...make sure you get everything in writing though.
We are paying out of pocket for our hb & will submit after the birth.

[flapjack]

Hey You did a good thing. You got the care you wanted, and you're making it easier for the next mom-to-be with that company to have a "proper" birth.

[HomeBirthMommy]

That's fantastic news! Congrats!