Will midwives work with you financially?

[bygones75]

I'm waiting to hear back from several agencies regarding my insurance's decision not to cover a homebirth. But in the case I can't change it, I'm wondering about paying out of pocket. I can't do $6000... literally. Do you think some homebirth midwives would maybe do a bit of a sliding scale? Or see me less often to counter the price? I don't know... I'd feel badly asking, since I know that they need to make a living. But I really, really want to have a homebirth. I have $1000 saved and I've borrowed $2000... and could probably save another $1000 before the baby was born if I worked some extra hours.

I'm babbling. Just exploring options. Has anyone else had this problem before?

[pixiesmommy]

It doesn't hurt to ask. My doula worked with me like this, and even my group of CNMs (which were in a big OB office building in the heart of the city) worked with me during my first preg. when I was uninsured. They gave me a payment plan and were really awesome a couple of times about scheduling since I worked odd hours (they would stay late for me.)

Just phrase it like, "I really clicked with you and I know that you do this because you love it AND because you have to make a living and this is your job, but I wondered if there is any possibility of working with me on price. I don't want to insult you and I can see that you have X amt of experience, but I was budgeting X amt of money...."

Also, what about a midwife who is training an apprentice or something like that? Maybe she'd give you a discount for having more people in attendance learning? But only if you're comfortable with something like that!!

Best wishes!!!!!
'Manda

[alegna]

Many will. wow- $6000, huh? That's REALLY steep here, but I know it varies.

-Angela

[momto l&a]

My old mw would work with people. She has recived all sorts of stuff in trade she also take payments. One gal JUST got done paying her for the last birth and was starting prenatals.

I dont know about my new mw. We where supposed to pay $4,000 for her but being we found her late and we paid cash it reduced the bill by 800.

IMO you just need to talk and ask them.

[bygones75]

Hey ladies,

Thanks for the ideas and feedback. Yes, I think I'd just have to swallow my pride and ask her. That's a hard thing for me. Much harder than yelling at Blue Cross Blue Shield. (Actually... that's sort of enjoyable.)

Yup, Angela, 6K. I live close to NYC... everything is expensive here. But ya know what's really dumb? That insurance would rather deal with a hospital birth, which will easily cost them 25K with prenatals. Idiots.

I'll ask about the apprentice option too...

[Gumby]

Co-care might be something to consider as well. You mentioned not seeing them as often. If you were seeing an OB or CNM somewhere (I know, I know), then they could do bloodwork or any tests, should you choose to have them done and insurance would cover that.

I was doing co-care at a BC up until 40w. Then I stopped going in and it's just me and our hbmw.

Oh, also, we didn't decide on hb until about 32w so our fee was reduced, and the mw we interviewed were very, very willing to work on the fee. Bartering, payment plans, sliding scales...we're paying 1k, btw.

Hope you find someone!

[ReneeC]

When you talk to the MW, find out if maybe she has an "insurance price" and a "cash price". Mine does--$3200 for insurance and $2900 for cash. Also there was a $400 discount if the total fee is paid before the birth, plus for every visit I had with an OB--I transfered to the MW during my pregnancy--there was also a reduction, so I only ended up paying $2350.

Best of luck to you!

[HeatherB]

I second Renee's option. Also I think just letting the MW know how disappointed you are in having a hassle with insurance might help - tell her honestly how sad you are that you may not be able to afford the homebirth you REALLY want because of it.

Here, most MWs have discounts for cash payments paid in full by 36w (though I know they can be flexible!). For mine, it's a difference of $2k! Though my first birth was 3 years ago and her prices for new patients may have changed. Anyhow - it's not a crazy thing to think she might have more than one fee, and can't hurt to ask, especially if what you're doing is telling her how much you value her and her services!

Keep us posted!

[pamamidwife]

I work with people all the time - I just prefer that they're honest about what they can afford, create a payment plan that works for them and stick to it.

I also like to barter!

[pinksprklybarefoot]

When we first spoke with our midwife about cost, she said that she wouldn't want anyone to have to forgo a homebirth for monetary reasons. She was really wonderful about letting us pay little by little (we're almost done! ) and waiting to cash checks until there would be money in the checking account.

Also... we paid about half of what your midwife charges. But we are in the midwest, maybe it is cheaper than where you are?

[AugustLia23]

My most recent midwife was very flexible, and I could barely get her to take a check. Most midwive that I know of are quite flexible.

Where are you that you that the midwife is charging so so much? $6000 is a lot for anybody out of pocket I think. In Boston, where I live, I think the priciest midwife is $5000 and she has two books published(Nancy Wainer, Open Season and another one). Most midwives here are around $3000, give or take.

[aylaanne]

Hey, I live in WMass and my MWs are charging $3200. They ask for payments during prenatals and then the balance by 36wks and if that happens then there's a $200 discount. They are very flexible and are willing to work with me if I have issues.

Have a chat with her, and tell her how sorry you are to have to do it. If it means the difference between attending your homebirth or not attending your birth at all (and thereby not being paid at all) I doubt she'll insist on total payment up front. Very few MWs go into it for the money.

[lyttlewon]

Originally Posted by BrittanySmiles

Co-care might be something to consider as well. You mentioned not seeing them as often. If you were seeing an OB or CNM somewhere (I know, I know), then they could do bloodwork or any tests, should you choose to have them done and insurance would cover that.

I was doing co-care at a BC up until 40w. Then I stopped going in and it's just me and our hbmw.

Oh, also, we didn't decide on hb until about 32w so our fee was reduced, and the mw we interviewed were very, very willing to work on the fee. Bartering, payment plans, sliding scales...we're paying 1k, btw.

Hope you find someone!

If you do co-care please find out from your MW who is HB friendly. I found out from mine that my OB is NOT AT ALL HB friendly. Ugh my last visit with her I was looking for some test results and my MW told me not to tell her I was HB. Well I was stupid and asked for a records transfer the day before my appt. She called me at work to lecture me and then laid into me the next day at my appointment. :

[mendomidwife]

I work with every family on an individual basis. I think most midwives want women to get the birth they desire. Talk to her.....

Carla