I was recently reading a question posted from someone about homebirthing. I wanted to have a homebirth with our first son, but it didn't work out. We want to consider the option with our second (whenever that happens, hopefully soon!) but I was wondering about the taboo question of COST. Does any insurance cover a homebirth? what are the costs associated? etc. Any info would help!
Yes, many insurance companies will cover the costs. There are a couple practices that I can think of offhand... Homefirst and A Woman's Place.
Good for you! Best wishes for a wonderful pregnancy and birth!
To determine if your insurance would cover a homebirth would depend on what type of medical attendant you had at your birth.
I have had several homebirths (and am preparing for another)with a physician who comes to my home. I had two different insurance companies over the years of my births and both covered the birth. Typically, a physician charges a flat fee for your pregnancy and birth. This fee is irregardless of location. The additional fees for a hospital birth are charged by the hospital, and have relatively little to do with your attendant. Therefore, any insurance company should pay for the physician's fee.
What might not be covered is if your attendant is a nurse midwife. You would need to check your policy or call you insurance to see if this was covered. A lay midwife would probably not be covered under any circumstances. However, a midwife is usually less expensive than a physician anyway. Also, the physician's fee is much less than one would expect, because the bulk of your bill for a hospital birth is for the hospital.
Hope this helps.
Mindy
Hi M.,
Most doctor attended homebirths (Homefirst and Dr. White) accept insurance. You'll still pay about $2000-$3000 out of pocket though.
With some direct entry midwives insurance will be billed, but on average you'll pay about $2500 out of pocket for a homebirth. Try talking to Jewell and Jennifer at a Woman's Place. They can give you more information.
All the best! If you need a doula, let me know. I could help you!
Hi, I had a homebirth with my third. I did have to pay a good bit out of pocket, but then for my fourth, our insurance changed to Blue Cross Blue Shield, and it actually would've cost me a bit less than a hospital birth, some fee associated with the hospital that wouldn't be required...
Anyhow, I wasn't able to have a home birth for my fourth. We had just moved, and the midwife I was thinking of had so many women due at the same time... I ended up having a midwife at the hospital and she made all the difference in the world. She was with me the whole time and it was great, for the hospital!
My homebirth was the easiest, fastest and most relaxed!
Good luck, and feel free to ask me other questions.
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It depends on your insurance company. Mine (Blue Cross Blue Shield) covers it at the same coverage/copays as hospital birth. It really makes sense when you consider that the costs to the insurance company are much less as well as the risks of complications (and more expenses). Some insurances do not cover, but I am not sure which ones.
Hello M.! I am a labor doula, and yes insurance does cover home births. Have you tried contacting Homefirst? They are great. I have been to homebirths as a doula and they are really great ones to be at. If you have any questions, you can email me anytime and i would be glad to help you out.
S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com
Hi M.
As everyone has said, it depends on who provides your care and what your insurance covers. Generally, it is very reasonable. Most homebirth doctors and licensed homebirth midwives (who generally do work with insurance) charge between $3000 - $4000, and that covers all your prenatal care, labs, the birth and everything up to 6 weeks postpartum. Direct entry midwives charge less, maybe around $1500 - $2500. What you pay depends on your plan and deductible.
Hope this is helpful. I have had two homebirths, one with a certified nurse midwife and one with a direct entry midwife. I am also a midwife's assistant for local homebirth midwives as well as a certified doula. Please feel free to contact me if I can answer any more questions for you.
Best of luck to you and your husband!
A.
M.:
A great resource for information is Birthlink. www.birthlink.com
The founder, JoAnne Lindberg also does birth consultations.
P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com
