What is the reduced price?

All self-pay families will have a generously discounted fee of $5,500 (before all applicable discounts which can bring the price down by several hundred dollars). If you are expecting twins (or a planned vaginal breech birth), we will have more visits and will hire at least one additional attendant to the birth. Therefore, the cost will go up by (at least) $1,000 to cover the additional support. Some births could require more attendants, which would increase the cost (but would be discussed ahead of time).

This inclusive global fee includes all of the midwifery care before, during, and after the birth, etc.*

Do you offer any discounts?

Yes. There is a $200 discount if your balance is paid in full at the onset of care, using cash, check, or card. There is another discount offered to those who pay their balance entirely with cash.

There is also a $100 discount if you hire a doula or photographer off of my preferred list and are willing to allow Emily to share some of the images.

Does my balance have to be paid in full before the birth?

Yes. Nearly all families will have their balance paid in full long before the birth. However, some families are unable to achieve this due to their current financial circumstances.

Let’s face it… even though this fee is deeply discounted (and a fraction of hospital costs), this is still a lot of money to have laying around if you weren’t previously budgeting for private care. Many families are living paycheck to paycheck.

To counteract this, there is an excellent option available for an affordable monthly payment installment loan with United Medical Credit. If you decide to apply for an extended installment loan, the service date is not your due date. The service date is when you estimate that we would begin prenatal care. If your credit isn’t awesome, having a co-signer and adding all forms of income is a great idea for better approval odds!!

To hold your spot for care, a $500 payment is required. This payment goes towards your balance.

Once care has begun, if you have a balance, a minimum payment of $400 is required per visit unless otherwise discussed, or until the complete balance has been paid in full. If you are making regular payments, the remaining balance is due by 36+0 weeks gestation.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Most clients will pay with cash during visits for a discount. Ohio Midwife can also accept checks, all major credit cards, and FSA/ HSA’s. All electronic payments will come with a small (3.5%) bank processing fee. And of course, as stated above, you can apply for an affordable, extended monthly payment installment loan with United Medical Credit.

Will i get a disCount for switChing To ohio midwife later in my pregnancy?

No. Midwifery care is billed as a global fee. This means that it is a fee that encompasses all of your midwifery care regardless of when you begin care. There are also no added fees for extra visits that are occasionally needed. It is beneficial for you and the midwife to begin care earlier in your pregnancy. It is wise to book care with Emily as soon as you know that you are pregnant.

To clarify, if somehow Emily decided to accept you into care while you are in labor, the fee would still not be discounted.

Do you bill health insurance?

Yes! We always bill for your (and your baby’s) care after the birth. If you have health insurance, make sure to have your benefits verified here right away.

You will still have to pay in full before the birth and the price is not discounted for those with health insurance.

Even though you will not be reimbursed, meeting your annual deductible can be very helpful for families. Billing almost always achieves this goal. You won’t ever be charged more, regardless of what/if insurance decides to do.

If you have a shared health plan like Samaritan or Christian Health Ministries, your home birth costs should be covered. You will not need to have your benefits verified.

Will i get my money back if i need to transfer to the hospital?

No. You are paying for midwifery care with homebirth carried as the mutual goal. It is also almost always the outcome, which is beautiful! No one can promise anyone a homebirth though.

If your midwife were only paid if you stayed home, that could cause her to make poor choices that could lead to poor outcomes.

This policy ensures ethical guidance on her part. Part of the expertise that you are hiring her for is to know when outside medical care is needed. In the event of an intrapartum transfer, in-office postpartum care will resume once you have been discharged.

Insurance will still be billed for the care that was rendered, which can be very helpful to reduce or dissolve your deductible entirely.

Will I have to pay extra for labs & Ultrasounds?

LABS: Emily can collect your routine or specialty labs in-office for your convenience. Insurance will be billed. The lab offers a reduced price for self-pay clients. The lab will bill you directly. Emily can also send you to a local LabCorp for testing in between visits (as necessary).

Some examples of special testing are: UNITY Genetic Screening and Sneak Peek Gender Testing. Emily also offers allergy and gut health/microbiome testing in office as well.

ULTRASOUNDS: Ultrasounds can be done with certified sonograhers and radiologists for an affordable fee that is paid directly to them. Simple ultrasounds with a point of care ultrasound unit can be done in Emily’s office with no added charge. These however, are not diagnostic and do not replace any official scans.

What about the cost of home birth supplies?

Emily will provide you with a link to order your birth kit The cost is currently under $100. If you are having twins, decide to plan for a water birth, or customize your kit in other special ways, the cost will go up for those optional items.