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FEPBlue BirthCenters in DC area

cecilyandgautamcecilyandgautam member
in D.C. Area Babies

Thank you for those who informed me about the recent changes in FEP Blue Cross coverage. I am excited to learn that any in-network birth center or midwife is covered same as a hospital and that my co-pay will be the same wherever I deliver.

Now the big question is: any birth center recommendations covered by FEPBlue? I know BirthCare is great but the problem is they are booked for my delivery month. I'm on their waiting list and crossing my fingers. The only one I could find via google search in DC is not covered by Blue Cross. There's one 1.5 hours away from me in MD.

The alternative is to do a home birth with a covered midwife in NOVA. I was planning to have this birth (baby #1) be at a birth center and then have baby #2 at home once I know what to expect from my body more but if I end up having to choose between a hospital and a home birth, I'd rather be at home. I wish their were more birth centers in NOVA - a great one just opened but it's not covered for some reason.

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Re: FEPBlue BirthCenters in DC area

  • tomandcourttomandcourt

    I've heard good things about the Family Health and Birth Center in NE DC - my coworker's wife just delivered there and had a good experience.

    ETA: and I'm pretty sure the providers are BCBS preferred providers.

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  • pixieprincsspixieprincss member

    We did a hospital birth because of money ($0 for hospital <plus $900 for a doula> vs. $4,000 for home or center). But, we very seriously considered Birth Care and home. If it helps, DH was opposed to a home birth until we toured Birth Care. After that he said, "It seems like a long way to drive for a fake bedroom." Save for a bigger tub, that really is what their facility is--fake bedrooms. I don't mean that as a negative, just as the reality that they center doen't have any equipment there that wouldn't be brought to a home birth.

    I'm guessing this is the other one that is not covered? https://birthbydesign.org/BirthCenter.aspx

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  • cecilyandgautamcecilyandgautam member

    Thank you ladies for your tips! I've spent a lot of time on the phone with my insurance and have learn a big lesson: even though they say the online provider directory is the most up to date, comprehensive info and if a provider is not on there, then they are not "preferred" - it's not necessarily true! I got the tax ID # from the DC Birth Center and checked via phone with my insurance and it turns out they are fully covered, even though according to the website they're not. Just a heads up in case anyone else ends up in my desperate boat.

    Thank you for your help!

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