Helpful Laws & Links
We are continually updating this page. Please check back soon for more updates.
GENERAL INTEREST:
1. Midwives Alliance of North America www.mana.org (find your state midwifery laws here)
2. American College of Nurse Midwives www.acnm.org
3. National Association of Certified Professional Midwives www.nacpm.org
4. North America Registry of Midwives www.narm.org
5. Midwifery Education Accreditation Council www.meacschools.org
6. Insurance code by state (the entire code) www.namic.org/links/stateinsurancestatutes.asp
7. Insurance Commissioners by state (the place to go to ask a question or file a complaint against an
insurance company) www.insuranceclaimsconsult.com/Ins.Commissioner.htm
8. Tricare: Click here to download our Tricare information sheet that explains how to become a Tricare
provider.
9. National Provider Identifier (NPI) number--As of May 23, 2008 all providers must have an NPI number in order to submit insurance claims. It is very easy to get and you can even do it online at: https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/Welcome.do
STUDIES:
1. British Study: Outcomes of Planned Home Birth with CPMs. A study of 5418 North American women who were planning to give birth at home in 2000. This is good documentation to give to anyone who believes home birth to be "dangerous". http://www.collegeofmidwives.org/Citations%20or%20text%2002/BMJ_HmBirth_Jun05.html
BY STATE:
Washington--probably the most progessive state for women's health care & midwifery
1. Insurance companies must provide direct access to women's health care, including LMs, CNMs and home birth. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=48.42.100
-AND- http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=284-43-250
2. Insurance companies must cover and contract with every category of provider--the only code like it in the union. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=48.43.045 -AND-
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=284-43-205
3. Insurance companies must cover postpartum care and newborn care for 21 days after birth if they cover the mother. I wish every state had this law! http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=48.43.115
4. WASHINGTON MEDICAID began a 5-year pilot program for planned home birth in 2001. The results were positive (of course), so they now cover LMs, CNMs, planned home and birth center births. We encourage others to approach their Medicaid programs about coverage and have included WA Medicaid websites for referral and inspiration.
**Pilot Program Provider's Manual (including contact information):
http://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/maa/download/BillingInstructions/PlannedHomeBirthsBI_12-01-04.pdf
**The codes that govern the program now:http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=388-533-0600
-AND- http://search.leg.wa.gov/wslwac/WAC%20388%20%20TITLE/WAC%20388%20-533%20%20CHAPTER/WAC%20388%20-533%20-0400.htm
California-
1. Midwife Standards of Care as set forth by the CA Medical Board and referred to in the CA Midwifery Act. www.mbc.ca.gov/MW_Standards.pdf
2. If perinatal services are a covered benefit, companies offering disability insurance must reimburse
CNMs and LMs for these services. Click here
3. Insurance companies must reimburse for postpartum care up to 48 hours for normal, vaginal delivery. Click here
4. Pap test by a midwife is a covered benefit Click here
5. Clean claims must be paid within 30 business days, in whole or in part Click here
6. CALIFORNIA MEDICAID reimburses CNMs and LMs for maternity care, including home birth.
http://files.medi-cal.ca.gov/pubsdoco/publications/masters-mtp/part2/nonph_m00o03o11.doc
Oregon--
1. Oregon's definition of Provider (in red toward the bottom). Click here
2. Direct access to women's health care guaranteed. CNMs are included, but LDMs are not. This is an excellent candidate for legislative change--to have LDMs listed here also would greatly strengthen your position! Click here
3. Non-discrimination clause for HMOs (in red). Click here
4. OR Policy on Maternity Care. Click here
5. OR Every Category of Provider House Bill. It was in committee upon adjournment, and did not pass.
www.leg.state.or.us/97reg/measures/hb2200.dir/hb2271.int.html
6. OREGON MEDICAID reimburses Licensed Direct-entry Midwives for home birth. To become an OR Medicaid provider, go to:
www.oregon.gov/DHS/healthplan/tools_prov/providerenroll.shtml
Texas--
1. Preferred Provider Plans--midwives meet the definition of Health Care Provider; co-insurance requirements for non-preferred providers; access to health care services ensured--this is a good tool! (Look for the red highlights) Click here
2. HMOs and Individual Plans and their mandates. (Look for the red highlights) Click here
3. Standard Health Benefit Plans--these plans are exempt from state and federal mandates, but come with their own mandated services and coverage. Click here
4. Postpartum coverage requirements; insurers cannot require birth in hospital. Click here
5. Clean Claims Act--submission, processing, paying and appeals. Click here