Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)
What is a Certified Nurse-Midwife?
There are different types of midwives practicing in the U.S. and worldwide. Titles only tell you so much about the type and safety of the care you receive. Asking questions and using your intuition are essential guides to choosing the right provider and location for your birth and wellness needs. The history of midwifery titles and education is riddled with racism, power, and access to resources, all of which influences midwifery's face today. While I am a member of the American College of Nurse-Midwives and happily practice as a Nurse-Midwife, I am committed to supporting the totality of midwifery.
I am a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM). A CNM is a registered nurse with graduate education (Master's degree) in nurse-midwifery. We graduate from Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) accredited programs, which include a university degree and hands-on clinical training. CNMs pass the required national certification exam and maintain current evidence-based practice standards through continuing education.
CNMs in Connecticut are independent health care providers who maintain professional relationships within the medical community and other healthcare professionals to provide integrated care. Here at Magnolia Midwifery LLC, I am continually networking to meet other health care practitioners who desire to practice collaboratively and in consultation as described in a joint statement written by CNM and OB/GYN professional organizations on collaborative practice. I promote positive relationships with Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), Direct-entry midwives, and local homebirth-friendly OB/GYNs, MFMs, pediatricians, doulas, and hospitals to provide your family with the best care. Advocacy is ongoing.
Nurse-midwives focus on childbirth (pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, newborn up to 28 days) and provide general health care to women of all ages and life stages. This includes general check-ups and physical exams, annual gynecologic exams including cervical cancer screening (PAP), family planning needs, pregnancy prevention/contraception, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among others. We also treat male partners of clients for STIs. As primary care providers, CNMs are authorized to prescribe medications. Nurse-Midwives practice in independent practices, group practices, hospitals, birth centers, and home births.
I am a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM). A CNM is a registered nurse with graduate education (Master's degree) in nurse-midwifery. We graduate from Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) accredited programs, which include a university degree and hands-on clinical training. CNMs pass the required national certification exam and maintain current evidence-based practice standards through continuing education.
CNMs in Connecticut are independent health care providers who maintain professional relationships within the medical community and other healthcare professionals to provide integrated care. Here at Magnolia Midwifery LLC, I am continually networking to meet other health care practitioners who desire to practice collaboratively and in consultation as described in a joint statement written by CNM and OB/GYN professional organizations on collaborative practice. I promote positive relationships with Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), Direct-entry midwives, and local homebirth-friendly OB/GYNs, MFMs, pediatricians, doulas, and hospitals to provide your family with the best care. Advocacy is ongoing.
Nurse-midwives focus on childbirth (pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, newborn up to 28 days) and provide general health care to women of all ages and life stages. This includes general check-ups and physical exams, annual gynecologic exams including cervical cancer screening (PAP), family planning needs, pregnancy prevention/contraception, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among others. We also treat male partners of clients for STIs. As primary care providers, CNMs are authorized to prescribe medications. Nurse-Midwives practice in independent practices, group practices, hospitals, birth centers, and home births.
Is Midwifery Care right for me?
As you think about your options for pregnancy and birth, take the time to learn about your choices. What do you want most out of your experience? What do you value?
When seeking a provider, it is important to understand how different types of providers have different approaches and ideas about health. In our society, many services are offered as one-size-fits-all. Choosing a midwife offers you a chance for expert, personalized care informed by research and evidence, experience, intuition, spirituality, and shared knowledge. You are the leader of your healthcare with shared responsibility in the process. I work with you as a guide to make informed choices that match your needs, family, and lifestyle. Informed choice and leadership is your right and my obligation.
When seeking a provider, it is important to understand how different types of providers have different approaches and ideas about health. In our society, many services are offered as one-size-fits-all. Choosing a midwife offers you a chance for expert, personalized care informed by research and evidence, experience, intuition, spirituality, and shared knowledge. You are the leader of your healthcare with shared responsibility in the process. I work with you as a guide to make informed choices that match your needs, family, and lifestyle. Informed choice and leadership is your right and my obligation.
What is the Midwives Model of Care?
"The Midwives Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes.
The application of this woman-centered [sic] model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section."
Copyright (c) 1996-2008, Midwifery Task Force, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
- Monitoring the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle
- Providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support
- Minimizing technological interventions
- Identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention
The application of this woman-centered [sic] model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section."
Copyright (c) 1996-2008, Midwifery Task Force, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
What are the Hallmarks of Midwifery Care?
Midwifery care supports pregnancy and birth as a normal, physiologic process. We work closely to support, encourage, and empower women to achieve their desired pregnancy and birth experience with minimal intervention, unless medically necessary.
The art and science of midwifery are characterized by these hallmarks:
Source: American College of Nurse-Midwives.
The art and science of midwifery are characterized by these hallmarks:
- Recognition of pregnancy, birth, and menopause as normal physiologic and developmental processes
- Advocacy of nonintervention in the absence of complications
- Incorporation of scientific evidence into clinical practice
- Promotion of family-centered care
- Empowerment of women as partners in health care
- Facilitation of healthy family and interpersonal relationships
- Promotion of continuity of care
- Health promotion, disease prevention, and health education
- Promotion of a public health care perspective
- Care to vulnerable populations
- Advocacy for informed choice, shared decision-making, and the right to self-determination
- Cultural competence
- Evaluation and incorporation of complementary and alternative therapies in education and practice
- Skillful communication, guidance, and counseling
- Therapeutic value of human presence
- Collaboration with other members of the health care team
Source: American College of Nurse-Midwives.
Can I transfer to Magnolia Midwifery later in pregnancy?
Yes, however, the sooner you transfer, the better we get to know each other! Acceptance of transfer is evaluated on an individual basis and will depend on several factors including your health history. If you want to transfer your care to Magnolia Midwifery, contact me to set up a consultation visit. After our conversation, and we determine that you are a candidate for home birth with this practice and we desire to move forward, you can schedule your first prenatal appointment. To offer the best care and use of our time together, I need your medical records--ultrasounds, blood work, and appointment notes--from your current health care provider before your second prenatal visit. I also require we meet in person for 10 hours of face-to-face time prior to 37 weeks pregnancy.
Cost and payment for magnolia midwifery llc services
Costs of services is a part of our homebirth consultation discussion. Contact me to set up an in-person free visit.
WELL-CARE
Because Magnolia Midwifery is out-of-network with all insurance companies, well-person care is self-pay at the time of services. A new client visit is $100 and established client or follow-up is $75. A new client visit generally last 90 minutes with follow-up visits lasting an hour.
PREGNANCY, BIRTH, & POSTPARTUM
Clients choose to pay using Insurance or Self-Pay at the start of care. A Self-Pay or Insurance service contract is available for your review after our initial phone conversation and before the consultation visit. All Clients pay a deposit toward the total cost of care by 36 weeks. Usual estimated charges for adults and newborns are billed in one invoice at the start of care. Actual charges vary depending on actual services provided and a final invoice will reflect total charges for services provided, insurance reimbursement, and balance billing.
Self-Pay
This option is open to insured clients who choose not to use insurance and to uninsured clients. With this option, midwifery services for the adult and newborn are offered as a package for a Self-Pay Discount. Clients may pay with cash, check, Venmo, or Square. Clients will not receive a superbill (medically coded bill used for claims) or use billing services-- as the savings on administration and processing fees and time make offering this discounted option possible.
Insurance
This option is open to insured Clients who a) plan to pay the total actual cost of care and submit their own claim to their insurance company using a Superbill provided at the completion of services; or b) plan to pay a deposit toward the total cost of care and have STM Billing company file a claim for them at the completion of services.
Christy is out-of-network with all insurance companies.
Your insurance company may reimburse a portion of Magnolia Midwifery LLC fees. You are ultimately responsible for all charges and, with support by STM Billing, navigation of the insurance process. Please call the office at 860-431-0516 for questions/details.
A verification of benefits is required if you plan to use your insurance. STM Billing completes a verification of benefits for you, providing you with a personal insurance disclosure defining your coverage for nurse-midwifery and homebirth services. For assistance in understanding your benefits please submit a verification of benefits form directly to STM Billing and pay the $11 processing fee here.
Husky
Christy is out-of-network with Husky for prenatal and birth coverage. She is a Husky-enrolled Ordering/Prescribing/Referring provider which means that usual costs of ultrasounds, labs, durable medical equipment like blood pressure cuff and breast pumps, and medications will be covered as governed by Husky policies. For pregnancy and birth coverage please refer to the Self-Pay Discount above.
Tricare
Christy is a credentialed Tricare provider although not a part of the Humana network. For assistance understanding your benefits please submit a verification of benefits form directly to STM Billing and pay the $11 processing fee here.
WELL-CARE
Because Magnolia Midwifery is out-of-network with all insurance companies, well-person care is self-pay at the time of services. A new client visit is $100 and established client or follow-up is $75. A new client visit generally last 90 minutes with follow-up visits lasting an hour.
PREGNANCY, BIRTH, & POSTPARTUM
Clients choose to pay using Insurance or Self-Pay at the start of care. A Self-Pay or Insurance service contract is available for your review after our initial phone conversation and before the consultation visit. All Clients pay a deposit toward the total cost of care by 36 weeks. Usual estimated charges for adults and newborns are billed in one invoice at the start of care. Actual charges vary depending on actual services provided and a final invoice will reflect total charges for services provided, insurance reimbursement, and balance billing.
Self-Pay
This option is open to insured clients who choose not to use insurance and to uninsured clients. With this option, midwifery services for the adult and newborn are offered as a package for a Self-Pay Discount. Clients may pay with cash, check, Venmo, or Square. Clients will not receive a superbill (medically coded bill used for claims) or use billing services-- as the savings on administration and processing fees and time make offering this discounted option possible.
Insurance
This option is open to insured Clients who a) plan to pay the total actual cost of care and submit their own claim to their insurance company using a Superbill provided at the completion of services; or b) plan to pay a deposit toward the total cost of care and have STM Billing company file a claim for them at the completion of services.
Christy is out-of-network with all insurance companies.
Your insurance company may reimburse a portion of Magnolia Midwifery LLC fees. You are ultimately responsible for all charges and, with support by STM Billing, navigation of the insurance process. Please call the office at 860-431-0516 for questions/details.
A verification of benefits is required if you plan to use your insurance. STM Billing completes a verification of benefits for you, providing you with a personal insurance disclosure defining your coverage for nurse-midwifery and homebirth services. For assistance in understanding your benefits please submit a verification of benefits form directly to STM Billing and pay the $11 processing fee here.
Husky
Christy is out-of-network with Husky for prenatal and birth coverage. She is a Husky-enrolled Ordering/Prescribing/Referring provider which means that usual costs of ultrasounds, labs, durable medical equipment like blood pressure cuff and breast pumps, and medications will be covered as governed by Husky policies. For pregnancy and birth coverage please refer to the Self-Pay Discount above.
Tricare
Christy is a credentialed Tricare provider although not a part of the Humana network. For assistance understanding your benefits please submit a verification of benefits form directly to STM Billing and pay the $11 processing fee here.
How come I have to pay for services up-front when I am using my insurance coverage?
Clients are required to pay at the time of service by making regular payments.
Insurance companies do not always reimburse the midwife for prenatal care and homebirth services, even when listed as a covered service, when all their rules are followed, and you are making on-time, regular payments to your company. Payments may be delayed for 6 months or more. Homebirth midwifery care is comprehensive. Public and private insurance reimbursement often does not cover the actual cost of care. Committed to non-hurried, personalized care, Christy limits clients to 2-4 a month. A lack of or inadequate reimbursement is not levied by increasing monthly client load. A transfer of care after labor has started does not qualify Clients for a refund. Clients are responsible for full payment as defined in the service contract.
Magnolia Midwifery LLC contracts with STM Billing who works to receive the benefits from your insurance company for which you pay. You are encouraged to use their services. If you choose to file a claim yourself, they provide a member claim with a Superbill for $50. Insurance payments are first applied to your invoice. A refund is issued if you have paid more than your co-pay, co-insurance, deductible and the difference between actual cost and all payments applied.
After your baby is born and insurance payments are received, or not, you are responsible for any outstanding portion of the midwifery fee. Payment at the time of services ensures my ability to sustain my community midwifery practice and decreases the amount you may owe postpartum. Please call the office at 860-431-0516 for questions/details.
Insurance companies do not always reimburse the midwife for prenatal care and homebirth services, even when listed as a covered service, when all their rules are followed, and you are making on-time, regular payments to your company. Payments may be delayed for 6 months or more. Homebirth midwifery care is comprehensive. Public and private insurance reimbursement often does not cover the actual cost of care. Committed to non-hurried, personalized care, Christy limits clients to 2-4 a month. A lack of or inadequate reimbursement is not levied by increasing monthly client load. A transfer of care after labor has started does not qualify Clients for a refund. Clients are responsible for full payment as defined in the service contract.
Magnolia Midwifery LLC contracts with STM Billing who works to receive the benefits from your insurance company for which you pay. You are encouraged to use their services. If you choose to file a claim yourself, they provide a member claim with a Superbill for $50. Insurance payments are first applied to your invoice. A refund is issued if you have paid more than your co-pay, co-insurance, deductible and the difference between actual cost and all payments applied.
After your baby is born and insurance payments are received, or not, you are responsible for any outstanding portion of the midwifery fee. Payment at the time of services ensures my ability to sustain my community midwifery practice and decreases the amount you may owe postpartum. Please call the office at 860-431-0516 for questions/details.
how do i access the client portal?
Sign into the client portal HERE. Email info@magnoliamidwifery.com if you need a new Client Portal invitation for login information.
Lab work options
I offer to collect any desired lab work, including but not limited to prenatal labs, genetic tests, PAP and HPV screens, sexually transmitted infection tests, and stool testing to screen for colon cancer during appointments in your home. Payment is billed to your insurance or directly to you. Blood drawn for lab work by the midwife in your home is sent to LabCorp. Alternatively, you may visit Quest or LabCorp centers for lab work. Please use the same company for lab work for consistency in result comparison over time.
LabCorp and Quest offer discounted prices for certain labs when you have your labs drawn in one of their service centers and pay at the time of service. Locate a center near you: LabCorp or Quest. Find out more about payment options with LabCorp. Community health centers or Planned Parenthood of New England are options for fee-for-service lab work at potentially reduced rates for self-pay clients.
LabCorp and Quest offer discounted prices for certain labs when you have your labs drawn in one of their service centers and pay at the time of service. Locate a center near you: LabCorp or Quest. Find out more about payment options with LabCorp. Community health centers or Planned Parenthood of New England are options for fee-for-service lab work at potentially reduced rates for self-pay clients.
Ultrasounds
You decide if and when ultrasounds will be a part of your pregnancy. Ultrasounds are recommended in situations such as uncertain dates, in the presence of bleeding, or when questions arise during prenatal assessments. Some pregnant people desire genetic testing which may include an ultrasound. Ultrasounds are obtained with referrals to freestanding or in-hospital ultrasound providers based on the purpose of the scan and your weeks of pregnancy. Referrals are commonly made to Hammers and Riccio Healthcare in New Haven, Radiology Associates of Hartford, Northeast Radiology, our local hospital outpatient radiology service, or the Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) practice nearest you.
For those without insurance or high deductible plans, self-pay reduced rates are offered by most providers. I am not involved with ultrasound billing. Contact the ultrasound service directly for billing help. Please contact the location directly to discuss your financial situation.
For those without insurance or high deductible plans, self-pay reduced rates are offered by most providers. I am not involved with ultrasound billing. Contact the ultrasound service directly for billing help. Please contact the location directly to discuss your financial situation.
MAGNOLIA MIDWIFERY LLC SERVICE RADIUS
The usual service area is a 70 minute drive from Simsbury, CT. I travel outside this area depending on current monthly client numbers and locations.
