Homebirth General Discussion #5

[Jennifer13]

Yay Loulabelle!!!!

Give 'em a call. I don't think there are any laws in place- nothing has currently really changed with regards to home birth with an independent midwife. Just don't expect your MW to be able to bill to medicare. And if you possibly want to birth at home outside of the box (twins, breech etc) you'll need to find a midwife who's happy to have an "oopsie" and don't have ANY scans (evidence of twins etc).

Mine still bulk bills Medicare for pre and post natal visits. I don't think they were ever able to do that for the birth (my PHI does though). New laws changed possible access to medical indemnity for independently practising m/ws and possibly the link to Medicare, but I don't know if that's in place as I think temp measures are in place for current practicing m/ws. But I'm no expert!

My GP and m/w can both refer for scans, but were you saying if you don't want any scans?

[ummAadam]

midwives naturally... nic and clare

[meow]

Mine still bulk bills Medicare for pre and post natal visits. I don't think they were ever able to do that for the birth (my PHI does though). New laws changed possible access to medical indemnity for independently practising m/ws and possibly the link to Medicare, but I don't know if that's in place as I think temp measures are in place for current practicing m/ws. But I'm no expert!

My GP and m/w can both refer for scans, but were you saying if you don't want any scans?

That's great you are bulkbilling your pre and post natal visits! My MW wouldn't sign a collaborative agreement as it would impede her ability to provide woman-centred care, so we couldn't bill medicare. But the medicare billing only came in to effect for my post natal care... she may have been able to work it out now.

I was just saying don't get scans as proof of twins etc as I've heard many MWs are scared of getting in trouble if they support a HB for some pregnancies... but some might be happy to do it so long as you don't have evidence.