Credit Card Payments
We are able to accept credit card payments through PayPal using the link from the bottom of this page. Partial or full payments may be made using this method. However, we do charge a small 3.1% one-time fee to cover what Paypal charges us for this service. (We are charged because we have a commercial account with them.)
Private Insurance Coverage
Many private insurance companies pay Licensed Certified Professional Midwives. But not all companies are entirely familiar with midwifery care and state licensure. So they may initially say “no” to coverage out of their ignorance of Texas state laws. However, after they have been given the appropriate information, most (but not all) will agree to pay. We use a professional billing service to bill insurance companies. The company we use specializes in midwifery claims. They are very good at communicating with insurance companies. They will are also happy to speak to our clients directly about any questions they may have. So, if you have any questions about your insurance, please feel free to contact us.
Required Deposit or Deductible and Co-Pay for Private Insurance
A deposit of $2000 is required by 36 weeks gestation. $500 of this is due at your first prenatal visit and the remainder may be paid out by installments. The deposit is applied towards your deductable, co-pay or any other unpaid percentage of your bill. For example: If your insurance company only pays 80% of the bill, you are still responsible for the other 20%. You will be given a refund of what ever you are owed after your insurance company pays us.
You are also required to pay any co-pay that your insurance company requires of you. $4500.00 is the amount of the global fee that is billed to insurance companies in most circumstances. In addition to the global fee some additional fees are itemized. (Early pay discounts do not apply because insurance companies do not pay prior to service. However, some clients qualify for a financial hardship discount which greatly reduces their out of pocket expense in the event their insurance policy does not cover their entire fee. See us for details if you think you might qualify.).
Tricare (Military) - At this time, Tricare does not cover CPMs. However if you have Tricare coverage, please ask us about our military discount.
Self–Pay or "Cash–Pay" Plans
We offer special rates to clients who plan to pay the whole fee before their babies are born. In addition to this, we offer an extra discount to all of our repeat clients. We also offer a discount to anyone who is transfers care from another provider when they have their records concerning the current pregnancy transferred to us. Some of these discounts may even be combined.
The following "Self-Pay" Plans are based on the entire fee being paid prior to the birth of the baby.
Plan A
$2800.00 – (see below) – This fee applies if you live within 50 miles of Rockport.
$2800 pays your global fee ($1700 less than our full price global fee)– This amount must be paid in full by 36 weeks gestation.
The following is an example of a payment schedule for this plan. In this example, the payments are made every 4 weeks (monthly) with care beginning around 6 weeks gestation –
- 6 weeks gestation - $500.00 (deposit)
- 10 weeks gestation - $328.00
- 14 weeks gestation - $328.00
- 18 weeks gestation - $328.00
- 22 weeks gestation - $328.00
- 26 weeks gestation - $328.00
- 30 weeks gestation - $328.00
- 36 weeks gestation - $332.00
Plan B
$3000.00 – plus hotel expenses (see below) – This fee applies if you live more than 50 miles from Rockport.
$3000 pays your global fee ($1500 less than the full global fee)– This fee must be paid by 36 weeks gestation.
Hotel Expenses For The Midwives – If you live more than 50 miles from our office, we require that you find a hotel near your home and set aside money for a room for our personal use. If the distance to your house hinders us from taking a break at home during a long early labor (as we would if you lived in town), or if we are too exhausted to safely travel on the road after a long birth, we will choose to stay in the hotel. If it turns out that we do not need the hotel room, the money of course is yours to keep. Please discuss specific arrangements with us prior to your birth if you live more than 50 miles away.
The following is an example of a payment schedule for this plan. In this example, the payments are made every 4 weeks (monthly) with care beginning around 6 weeks gestation –
Plan C (Medicaid & Enlisted Military Discount)
$2400.00 – (see below) – If you have proof of Medicaid or can prove financial hardship you may be elgible for a discount. Instead of the usual $400 deposit, you will only be required to pay a $300 deposit.
$2400 pays your global fee – This fee is paid to the primary supervising midwife and must be paid by 36 weeks gestation.
The following is an example of a payment schedule for this plan. In this example, the payments are made every 4 weeks (monthly) with care beginning around 6 weeks gestation –
- 6 weeks gestation - $300.00 (deposit)
- 10 weeks gestation - $300.00
- 14 weeks gestation - $300.00
- 18 weeks gestation - $300.00
- 22 weeks gestation - $300.00
- 26 weeks gestation - $300.00
- 30 weeks gestation - $300.00
- 36 weeks gestation - $300.00
Medicaid
Medicaid does not pay the fees of Licensed Midwives in Texas. However, if you are using a midwife, Medicaid will still cover any labwork and sonograms that are done while you are under the midwife's care. They will also cover you and your baby for any other medical needs should they become necessary. So if you need to see a doctor at any time while you are under the midwife's care, or if there is a transport to the hospital, Medicaid will cover these additional expenses.
Also, please see our policy on deposits.
Deposit Policy
A deposit is required at your first visit ($500 of which is non-refundable). We limit the number of clients we care for in our practice. We also limit clients based on how far they live from one another if they are due near the same time. Therefore your deposit serves to reserve a place in our care. For this reason if you should transfer care (for any reason) prior to the birth of your baby, $500 will be considered non-refundable and will not apply towards any itemization of your care. However, should itemization be required for any reason after we deliver your baby, we will apply your entire deposit towards your itemized bill.
The total payment amount required at your first visit is determined by when your care begins. (See below.)
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In your 1st trimester (up to 12 weeks) $500 ($300 for financial hardship plan)
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In your 2nd trimester (up to 27 weeks) $700 ($450 for financial hardship plan)
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In your 3rd trimester (28 weeks or beyond) $850 ($650 for financial hardship plan)
Late Fees & Penalties
Returned Check Fee
$10.00 and up
There will be a minimum charge of $10 for any check that is returned due to insufficient funds. If a returned check costs me additional bank fees, you will also be expected to pay whatever additional fees are charged to me.
Additional charges may also be applied when a contract is not paid in full by the final due date.
$100 and up
1 – 30 days late - $100
More than 30 days late - $200
After the birth of the baby – The entire early discount is no longer applicable and you will be charged according to my full fee schedule.
If you have any special needs that you would like us to consider, please feel free to contact us directly.
