Off the Grid is a private practice that intentionally accepts only a limited number of families for childbirth each month. In her long experience as a midwife, Kay Jackson, CNM, ARNP, has found the individual model of midwifery care the one best suited for those seeking the intimacy, confidence, and support of a private practitioner experienced in natural pregnancy and labor. 
 

Insurance Plan: A contract between you and an insurance company. Choice of plans influences how you experience health care, so when you're able to choose between plans, please read the fine print and know the details of all plans available to you.
 

Deductible: An amount the insured person pays before the plan pays its portion. A deductible can be tiny or huge, ranging from $300 to $10,000, depending on your plan. Even when a provider is "In-Network" your insurance company will expect you to pay up to your full deductible. If you have a high-deductible plan (many choose this for lower monthly cost), you may want to consider what this means for your finances during your childbearing years as your out-of-pocket expenses will be much higher than a low-deductible plan. 
 

Co-insurance: The percentage of an "allowed amount" insurance accepts payable after your deductible is met. This is sometimes called a co-pay. It's basically a cost-share between the insurance company and the insurance customer. Traditionally this cost-share was an 80/20% split, with you paying the 20%, but many plans now have their customers paying much higher shares.

Patient responsibility: Deductible + co-insurance + any office visit co-pay = your responsibility to pay.
 

Professional provider: A midwife, physician, or another type of practitioner. Individual plans differ regarding the inclusion of chiropractic, naturopathy, and acupuncture, and massage in coverage. Look for a plan that does!
 

Out-of-Network: If the desired provider is not in a plan's network, check your plan for these benefits or apply for an Out of Network Exception or gap coverage.

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Facility Fee: The amount charged by a birth center or hospital. X-ray and ultrasound services may also include a facility fee. The first choice of a facility is not always part of a plan network—another matter to check on.

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Open Enrollment: November to January of each year when you can change insurance plans based on preference, finances, and upcoming needs. Don't let it pass you by if you'd like to switch coverage or opt for a low-deductible plan!

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Global Maternity Care: If a single provider or provider-group handles pregnancy, birth, and post-birth care, insurance companies treat the pregnancy as one event and pay in a lump at the end of pregnancy. But if a woman changes providers or has the need for ultrasound, fetal monitoring, admission to hospital, or anesthesia, these and other items are treated as "extra" events billed and reimbursed separately. 

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Self Pay: Individuals who opt to pay Off the Grid out of their savings account or via a medical loan. Families who have no insurance contract, insurance that doesn't participate with Off the Grid, or that has a high deductible, and co-insurance amounts may find it beneficial to use Off the Grid's prompt-pay discount for childbirth care.