[MichelleAnnette]

Hello! I'm new the the boards, but have looked through this section and found lots of useful information. I'm in Atlanta. This is the most helpful message board I have found. I am not pregnant yet, but hope to be in a few months (it will be our first). I'm leaning toward homebirth, but am open to hospital with CNM. My husband and I are both students (I will graduate next May), so we don't have much money. My biggest concern is that it will be very expensive if I have a homebirth and then have to go to the hospital. I think I may qualify for Medicaid (only when pregnant), but I can't be sure without applying (which I can't do until I'm pregnant). Does anyone have experience with Medicaid? I know it's based on income (which we have intermittently), but we have a pretty good bit in savings and some student loans, and I have no idea how/if they take that into account. (We make more in interest in savings than the loans earn, which is why we don't just pay them off). Medicaid advice?

 

[Tiffany_in_ga]

All I can tell you is that they change the income guidelines for pregnancy. I make pretty good money and was still able to qualify. It covers the pregnancy, and then for a certain length of time after the birth...although nobody can tell me how long that is :-( Just call up the health department when you're ready to apply. I went in and applied and had coverage the same day. I think, for a single person, you're allowed to make around $2200 a month to qualify. It's different if you're married or whatever.

 

[BetsyS]

There is also something called emergency-Medicaid. Even if you don't qualify for regular Medicaid, you may qualify for this once you are hospitalized. For people that fall into the gray zone between Medicaid eligibility and insurance, most hospitals have programs to help with bills (their "indigent" fund) Of course, different hospitals will have different size funds there.

I think this option is especially useful if you are planning a homebirth, you've paid out of pocket (as is all homebirth in GA), and something happens requiring a transfer to the hospital.

 

[KittyKat]

I was on medicaid for my PG. I saw Margaret Strickhouser at north point OB/GYN. The doctors and office staff are not that great, but Margaret is terrific, and the hospital staff at North Fulton Regional were also great compared to my other hospital experiences. I still prefer homebirth, but since that wasn't an option for me, Margaret was a close second.

My DD was born in water, she didn't have ANY of the "routine" newborn stuff, I just signed a few waivers, and that was that. We went home 5 hours after the birth. I put down Dr. Kute as my newborn pediatrician, and she's supportive of non-vax, AP, etc.

Most homebirth midwives will work with you on fees. Do your homework, not all midwives are equal. Just because someone is a homebirth midwife isn't a guarantee... just like because someone is a CNM doesn't guarantee they're not as medically minded as an OB, and just because someone is an OB doesn't mean they're a c-section happy drug pusher... Keep your eyes and ears WIDE OPEN no matter what caregiver you end up going with!

 

[Leylla]

I had medicaid with both pregnancies.

Due to other circumstance homebirth wasn't even an option, but mediciad has a 2400 a month limit, and will last you through 6 weeks ppartum.

I do not beleive it covers homebirth, but it never hurts to ask around with midwives and see what they can come up with...