Basic Information

I charge a flat fee for service, which covers the care provided during the antepartum (pregnancy), intrapartum (labor and delivery), neonatal, and postpartum (after birth) periods. There is a nonrefundable deposit at your first visit if you have not chosen to pay in full. This initial visit payment reserves your place in my practice and demonstrates your commitment to your care and birth. Payments are due at your scheduled prenatal visits and all clients will be paid in full by week 36. I accept cash, checks, and credit cards via Paypal.com secured payment website (available for payment in full only). Please call me for current rates as fees are subject to change.

The fee is not discounted for registering for care late in the pregnancy, as I will provide all necessary teaching regardless of when you start care. This fee also includes birth services, either at home or labor support at home and hospital, if hospital birth becomes a medical necessity. I am willing to work with families who feel they are not able to meet the outlined payment options on schedule. Please speak to me about your needs and I will do my best to work with you. A complete contract for care will provided at time of consultation for your convenience.

The fees do not include any recommended nutritional supplements (vitamins, herbs, etc.) or laboratory fees (you will be billed the discounted provider’s fee as lab service is rendered or your insurance may be billed if you wish) or pharmaceuticals (such as RhoGAM for Rh- mothers). Clients are required to purchase a customized birth kit for use during labor and delivery (approximately $45). I will provide you with a list of supplies to be acquired or purchased in addition to the birth kit in preparation for birth during your care.

Insurance

Midwives accept insurance, but whether or not the insurance accepts the midwife is the real issue. To the best of my knowledge there are no California midwives providing home birth service under contract with insurance companies as “in network providers”. Rather we are considered “out of network” providers. Ask your insurance company at what rate they will reimburse you for “out of network care” for a licensed midwife. Asking about coverage for a home birth will most definitely result in a denial to cover or reimburse the service.

A request for reimbursement for the antepartum (pregnancy), intrapartum (labor and delivery), neonatal, and postpartum (after birth) care in the form of a “global charge” is made following your 6 weeks postpartum visit. Anything that comes back from the insurance company is yours because you have paid the midwife in advance. I will submit your insurance claim on your behalf for a small courtesy fee. If you would like to submit a receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement, please inform me so I can provide you a summary of charges for your care and that of your newborn.

Medi-Cal

I do not currently accept Medi-Cal clients, but hope to be able to provide that service in the future.