Does Insurance Cover Midwives?
When it comes to medical care, one of the first questions is, ‘Will my insurance cover this?’ There are some misconceptions about insurance coverage and midwife services. The answer in general is that, it depends! As we have discussed in previous blogs, there are midwives with different credentials, and based on those credentials, impact where they provide care and what type of care they provide.
Different Types of Midwives
There are two main types of midwives: Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs).
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are trained in both nursing and midwifery. They can provide care in hospitals, birthing centers, and homes. CNMs specialize in low-risk maternity care, childbirth, postpartum care, and women's health from adolescence to menopause.
Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) are trained specifically in midwifery. They typically provide care in birth centers or homes and specialize in low-risk maternity care, childbirth, and postpartum care. Depending on their certification and degree, a Certified Professional Midwife may also offer women's healthcare services.
Are All Midwives Covered by Insurance?
Generally speaking, CNMs are widely covered by insurance if they work in a hospital or birth center, if the birth center is accredited and in-network. CPMs are covered if the services provided are in an accredited birthing center. In some cases, a midwife home birth can be covered partially by insurance, but this ultimately depends on the insurance you have.
At Twin Cities Birth Center + Women’s Health Clinic, we are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, HealthPartners, Medica, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Preferred One, Medical Assistance (MA), UCare, and the Multiplan and PHCS Networks. We also accept medical cost-sharing groups such as Samaritan Ministries and Christian Medi-Share.
Am I Covered for a Midwife Birth?
It is always a good idea to check with your insurance when exploring your care options. If you’re specifically seeking maternity care, call your insurance company and ask about your maternity benefits at a ‘freestanding’ or ‘out of hospital’ birth center. It’s important to use this language because hospitals have begun referring to their labor and delivery units as hospital birth centers. Twin Cities Birth Center has a wonderful Billing Manager who helps people navigate this.
If you don’t have insurance, you would be considered self-pay. The self-pay cost would be discussed with the billing manager, and you can make payments toward the balance throughout your pregnancy. For those with insurance but out of network, a payment plan can also be arranged.
Considering a Midwife Birth?
At Twin Cities Birth Center, we help establish care to help your body prepare for birth. If you’re currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant and want to learn more about midwifery care, reach out to explore birthing with a midwife and see if it’s the right choice for you.