What is at risk: Currently OHP allows a "Third Trimester Exemption" which allows mothers to get on the "Open Card" at 27 weeks if they have not been in managed care insurance for 90 days prior to their Open Card application. Midwives have been able to work with this and still provide prenatal care for mothers before they have solid insurance. However, if this exemption is no longer allowed, this means that practically no mother on OHP will be allowed to use midwifery care! Only those with Open Cards will be able to use their insurance to pay for midwifery, and that is extremely difficult to achieve.

OHP has now stated that they will cover midwifery if they join their in-network partner (Mid-Rogue). However, many times a network such as this will require its providers to hold malpractice insurance--which can cost more than a midwife earns in a year.

Why we need this to change: Midwifery and holistic care is more cost-effective than hospital-based birth, medical specialists, mainstream treatment methods, and pharmaceutical prescriptions. Allowing OHP members to choose their method of healing, to prevent illness, and to take part in supporting the community of holistic health providers, is not only a cost-effective way of ensuring that health needs are met, but is also encouraged by the recent Affordable Care Act. Rather than wasting millions of dollars on unnecessary hospitalizations, interventions, and prescriptions, an OHP member should be allowed to choose the less expensive route and choose the mode of care that best suits their needs and their convictions.

Requiring holistic health professionals and midwives to be in a managed care network puts an additional burden on these providers, which may increase their costs, and decrease their ability to serve the community in the best possible way. Additional fees and insurances would be counteractive to their ability to follow their modality of care, and their cost-effectiveness.

What we propose: We are asking OHP to cover licensed midwives (LMs) as out-of-network providers. This could mean partial-pay or fee-for-service. Either way, OHP will SAVE TAXPAYER MONEY by allowing mothers to choose affordable midwifery care in lieu of expensive hospital-based care. Paying for midwifery care without the requirement of the midwife being in-network will save money (she can keep her fees low) and will enable her to care for the mother in the midwifery model of care. Coverage of complimentary treatments in pregnancy, such as Nutritional Therapy, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, and Chiropractic Care can prevent illness and complications, can improve pregnancy and birthing outcomes, and are much more cost-effective than prescriptions and allopathic interventions. Providing the mother with this type of care can greatly improve the health and well-being of her and her baby, AND will save money.