A few essentials to note:

• Only low risk women can birth at home. There is a shortage of certified midwives in our area who do home birth. Sometimes it is impossible for us to return calls, emails, and requests if we are already full. There is no “front desk,” as we are a private, micro practice.

• “Meet and greet the midwife” appointments are scheduled to answer questions. We do not want to talk anyone (or their partners) into birthing at home, so please do your research before we meet. Many people are choosing out-of-hospital births for excellent reasons, including evidence of safety if done with a fully-credentialed midwife that has a good relationship with hospital midwives and physicians to transfer if needed.

• Please transfer early from other care providers. You will come to us for all prenatal visits. We will order labs, (local lab) ultrasounds, (local perinatal group) and provide full service care for your entire pregnancy and throughout your postpartum year. It is an all-inclusive package of care.

• All patients joining the practice for HOMEBIRTH are required to pay an initial retainer to hold their spot in the practice as there is limited availability. Additional deposits are also required during pregnancy towards fees for related services, regardless of potential insurance coverage as Brigitte Rhody, CNM is not contracted in-network with any insurer (considered out of network). Rare exceptions may apply for medicaid recipients, only after contacting Hamilton Billing (my biller) to determine coverage eligibility.   

  For questions regarding insurance coverage, payments and/or costs for services, please go to Hamiltonbilling.com and create an inquiry so they can help. Hamilton Billing is dedicated to helping patients understand and assess coverage from various insurance plans. The quickest path to getting a response from their team is to create an account and submit a questionnaire (as indicated on their website). Their team will get back to you as soon as possible.