Homebirth in Fairfax (& insurance ?)

[Kehaulani]

Hi Everyone. We just found out that we are expecting and with open enrollment season upon us we're trying to figure out what to do. We currently have Kaiser (which will cover a birth at BirthCare in Alexandria) but am not keen on driving to Alexandria from Fairfax while having contractions in the car. Our last birth was a hospital birth and we do not want that experience again, nor do we want to be separated from our 2.5 year old. That leaves us with having a homebirth. I'm trying to figure out how this all works....

1. Are there actually insurance companies that will cover a portion of homebirth with a midwife? (we are considering into Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield, but would love feedback as to what others have).

2. Are there any midwives that you would personally recommend?

3. How do you deal with the homebirth issue with your normal ob/gyn doc? Do you even tell them? I haven't gone to the ob/gyn yet and am wondering if I even should.

4. How do we have the birth recorded so we can get a birth certificate?

5. ANY other basic information I should know about preparing for and having a homebirth?

Sorry if these are silly questions but this is all new to me!

Jenn

[MomToKandE]

I think BirthCare attends home births too. Will your insurance cover that? Or maybe you can do your prenatal care there under your insurance and then just worry about paying for the birth itself?

[lechepatito]

BirthCare does do homebirths, as do several local midwives, listed here:

http://www.novahomebirth.org/providers/

BCBS does cover homebirths - I have friends who have their federal insurance plan and they had no problem getting out of network coverage (75% rate).

I just had a great homebirth with Tammi and Lori (Tammi's moving, but Lori will still be around), and they did the birth cert paperwork. I don't have a regular ob/gyn, so no advice there (my midwives have always done my annual exam). Good luck, and congrats on your pregnancy!

[nerdymom]

Originally Posted by Kehaulani

Hi Everyone. We just found out that we are expecting and with open enrollment season upon us we're trying to figure out what to do. We currently have Kaiser (which will cover a birth at BirthCare in Alexandria) but am not keen on driving to Alexandria from Fairfax while having contractions in the car. Our last birth was a hospital birth and we do not want that experience again, nor do we want to be separated from our 2.5 year old. That leaves us with having a homebirth. I'm trying to figure out how this all works....

1. Are there actually insurance companies that will cover a portion of homebirth with a midwife? (we are considering into Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield, but would love feedback as to what others have).

I got my Aetna HMO to say they would cover my HB, but I'm still holding my breath and gearing up for a fight, since I haven't had the baby yet.

2. Are there any midwives that you would personally recommend?

I'm working with Tammi and Lori ofhttp://traditionalmidwiferyofnova.com/ as pp said, Tammi is leaving the area, but Lori is still going to be around. She's very nice.

3. How do you deal with the homebirth issue with your normal ob/gyn doc? Do you even tell them? I haven't gone to the ob/gyn yet and am wondering if I even should.

I saw an OB, but quickly made the switch to the midwives. I think a lot of midwives in the area prefer you not seek tandem care, because their models of care really are diametrically opposed, and their advice is often going to differ quite a bit. If there's a conflict in your care, whose advice are you going to follow? The medical model or the midwifery model? THAT is the care provider you should go with, not both.

4. How do we have the birth recorded so we can get a birth certificate?

The midwives should take care of that. Ask them when you do your interview.

5. ANY other basic information I should know about preparing for and having a homebirth?

Not everyone is going to understand your choice, adn a lot of people might treat you like you're crazy. But there's a great support network right here! I have never had a moments doubt about my decision to have a home birth. And I am especially grateful now, as I am nearly a week past my EDD and no one is pressuring me about induction. Now if only this baby would get her/his butt in gear and join me I could tell you how freaking awesome my waterbirth was...

Sorry if these are silly questions but this is all new to me!

Jenn

no such thing as a silly question. Go check out the homebirth forum, there is a lot of info there!

[brendaziz]

Birthcare is GREAT but Kaiser won't cover their homebirths. I am going thru the same thing right now. Wanted to use them but I'd rather go to a hospital than drive an hour in traffic in the midst of labor. And we can't afford the price w/o insurance coverage so Fair Oaks it is for us- which I am fine with. Trying to have my first hypnobaby so I'm excited about it regardless of where it is.
But I would call Birthcare and ask them which insurance groups usually cover their services for homebirths. I know that some do- and they are all SO nice and some of the only Certified Nurse Midwives in the state and area that do homebirths.
Good luck and hope you find what you're looking for!

[azohri]

We're planning a homebirth with the birthcare midwives and our insurance supposedly will cover it - Anthem BCBS, Keycare PPO.

[apartautonomous]

any luck Kehaulani? i've posted this (and updated the thread with another few replies): http://www.mothering.com/discussions...0#post12718860 and thought I might try to inquire here on VA's tribe area as well. it seems as if BCBS Federal has been fantastic in the past recent years...but things are changing for 2009. i'm obviously going to verify with more service rep's i speak to before I change over to whomever else i choose...and report back here with my findings.