MIDWIFERY BURNOUT BECOMING MORE AND MORE PREVALENT
MIDWIFERY BURNOUT BECOMING MORE AND MORE PREVALENT Burnout and stress in today’s midwifery profession have become a prevalent issue that continues to afflict the increased demands, rising inflation business costs, poor reimbursement, and stringent practicing regulations. Stress can be harmful to the human body and have bad consequences for individuals. Stress can never be precisely articulated in terms of how it affects each individual; it differs from one person to the next. Work overload contributes to burnout by reducing people’s capacity to meet the job’s demands. There is little time to rest, recoup, and rebalance when this type of overload is a long-term job condition. A manageable and sustainable workload, on the other hand, allows you to practice and improve your existing talents while also learning new ones. Midwives are with no exemption in this matter. Midwives give so much to families! We give our skills, complete call availability, personal time, relationships, and health. Being on call all the time is focused on client satisfaction and making them a top priority in life. By putting birth first, all other relationships and personal self-care is put second and many times last if available. Obstetrics is full of legal pressure and stress is high to give the best care and still protect your business and yourself. Most of what we do is amazing and great, it is just very difficult to separate work and personal life from this profession. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to redefine the important definition of burnout. It now refers to burnout as “syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed,” in the organization’s International Classification of Diseases diagnostic manual. This action clearly states that burnout is an intense discussion everyone must take into consideration. It helps remove people’s notion that burnout is not as serious as it is, it should be addressed accordingly. Self-care is vital for being a midwife, mother, wife, sister, and daughter. Haven’t you ever heard we can’t put the oxygen mask on someone else until we put our oxygen mask on first? We can do a better job caring for our clients and family when we put ourselves FIRST! Daily exercise, meditation, boundaries on personal life from work, gratitude journals, and life couches, good support networks, and vacations really protect midwives from professional burnout. Don’t become a “midwife nun” and devote your entire life’s purpose to midwifery. Some women choose to pick that style of midwifery, but most want a work/life balance. Life exhaustion is normal. We may feel exhausted with a little problem we face today not because we are weak or we want our life to be easy, but because life is never easy at all. So if you may encounter someone you know feeling less of a person they are, or having a blast of emotions thinking that they are not happy with whatever they are doing right now, remind them to take a short break. A short break to rethink why they even started, and what are their goals in life. Great Midwifery FREE Midwifery Burnout Course: https://midwiferybusinessconsultation.teachable.com/p/how-to-prevent-and-recover-from-midwifery-burnout
Birth Center Regulations – Midwifery Business Consultation
Midwifery Birth Center Regulations The regulation of midwifery birth centers varies from one jurisdiction to another, as it is often governed by state or regional laws and regulations. The regulations can differ significantly in terms of licensing, accreditation, scope of practice, and safety standards. It’s important to note that my knowledge is based on information available up to January 2022, and specific regulations may have changed since then. As birth centers developed in various states, licensure statutes and regulations were written and approved. Some birth center laws and regulations have not been modified since they were originally written in the 1980s. At that time, states modeled regulations after ambulatory surgery centers or other medical facilities, with stringent requirements for construction, hallway width, and the size of a birth room being the same as an operating room. Birth centers in all states must adhere to the environmental, health, safety, laboratory, sanitation, and professional licensure standards mandated by federal, state, and local authorities, as they are licensed healthcare facilities. CABC Accreditation Birth centers in the US are regulated by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC). It is the only accrediting body whose goal is unique to birth centers. Other accrediting organizations review a variety of healthcare facilities. Presently, 80% of the states have some sort of regulation for birthing centers. States with the largest numbers of birth centers have fewer restrictive regulations in place. Conversely, in states where regulations or licensure requirements are difficult to achieve, there are fewer birth centers. This is similar to regulations for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and midwives (Yang, Attanasio, & Kozhimannil, 2016), where restrictive regulations decrease access. In 2014, the American Association for Birth Centers (AABC) filed comments with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to draw attention to ways in which restrictive birth center regulations limit access to birth center care (AABC, 2014). Midwifery Standards Following the standards for birth centers must be the topmost priority of any midwife who wants to start her own birth center. When a birth center receives accreditation, particularly from the CABC, families can have confidence that the center has shown commitment to higher quality standards than those required for basic licensure. Additionally, the center’s care aligns with the principles of the American Association of Birth Centers. To start off your plans for establishing your own birth center practice, you should know your state regulations. It’s perplexing to examine the regulation since it differs from state to state. You might get confused because other state regulations might not work in the current state where you plan to establish your birth center. Here at Midwifery Business Consultation, we have gathered all the information you need to know about your state birth center regulations. References History – american association of birth centers. (n.d.). Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://www.birthcenters.org/page/history Themes, U. F. O. (2018, May 31). Birth Center Regulation in the United States. Obgyn Key. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://obgynkey.com/birth-center-regulation-in-the-united-states/#:~:text=As%20licensed%20health%20care%20facilities,%2C%20state%2C%20and%20local%20levels.
Choosing the Right Business Structure: LLC, S-Corp, or Sole Proprietor for Midwives
Starting a midwifery practice is exciting—but before you welcome your first clients, you need to make a critical business decision: choosing the right legal structure. Your choice affects taxes, liability, paperwork, and long-term growth potential. At Midwifery Business Consultation, we help midwives navigate the complexities of business setup so you can focus on what matters most: providing safe, compassionate care. Here’s a detailed guide to the most common business structures for midwives: Sole Proprietor, LLC, and S-Corporation. Why Business Structure Matters Your business structure impacts: Liability protection: How your personal assets are shielded from business debt or lawsuits. Taxes: The way income is reported and taxed can vary significantly. Administrative requirements: Paperwork, annual filings, and compliance obligations. Growth potential: Ability to hire employees, bring in partners, or attract investors. Choosing the wrong structure can be costly, so it’s important to understand your options. 1. Sole Proprietor Overview: The simplest and most common structure for solo midwives just starting out. Pros: Easy to set up with minimal paperwork. All income flows directly to your personal tax return (Schedule C). Full control of business decisions. Cons: No liability protection—personal assets are at risk if your practice faces a lawsuit or debt. Harder to scale or bring in partners. May appear less “professional” to insurance companies and potential clients. 💡 Tip: Sole proprietorships work best for solo midwives offering home birth services with limited risk exposure. 2. Limited Liability Company (LLC) Overview: An LLC provides liability protection while allowing flexible management and taxation. Pros: Protects personal assets from business liabilities. Flexible tax options: default pass-through taxation or elect S-Corp status later. Easier to establish credibility with insurance companies and clients. Less formal than a corporation (fewer meetings, less paperwork). Cons: Annual state filings and fees. Some states impose additional taxes (franchise taxes, etc.). May require more bookkeeping than a sole proprietorship. 💡 Tip: Many midwives start as an LLC to combine simplicity with liability protection. 3. S-Corporation (S-Corp) Overview: An S-Corp is a tax designation (not a business type) that can be applied to LLCs or corporations to reduce self-employment taxes. Pros: Can save money on self-employment taxes by splitting owner salary and profit distributions. Liability protection (if structured as an LLC or corporation). Helps attract investors or partners if the practice grows. Cons: More administrative requirements: payroll setup, regular filings, and stricter IRS rules. Owner must pay themselves a “reasonable salary,” which requires careful accounting. Less flexible than a standard LLC in management structure. 💡 Tip: S-Corp election often makes sense for midwives with higher income who want to optimize tax savings and plan for growth. How to Choose the Right Structure Ask yourself these questions: What level of liability protection do I need? Solo home-birth midwives may start as an LLC. Practices with multiple providers or higher risk may benefit from an S-Corp. How much complexity can I manage? Sole proprietorships are simplest, S-Corps are more complex. What are my financial goals? Consider taxes, reinvestment, and growth. Will I accept insurance or hire staff? LLC or S-Corp structures are usually more credible and easier to credential. How Midwifery Business Consultation Can Help At Midwifery Business Consultation, we guide midwives through every step of business formation: Compare LLC, S-Corp, and sole proprietorship options. Help you understand liability, tax implications, and long-term growth. Connect you with accountants and legal professionals experienced in midwifery. Provide checklists and templates for setup, insurance credentialing, and compliance. We’ve helped midwives nationwide choose the right structure so they can confidently launch, grow, and protect their practices. Final Thoughts Your business structure sets the foundation for your midwifery practice. By understanding your options and planning strategically, you protect yourself, optimize taxes, and position your practice for long-term success. Ready to Choose the Right Business Structure for Your Midwifery Practice? Schedule a consultation with Midwifery Business Consultation today to get personalized guidance on forming an LLC, S-Corp, or sole proprietorship that aligns with your goals and protects your future.
Midwife Work Schedule Options to Optimize Success
As a midwife, choosing the right work schedule is crucial for balancing career satisfaction, patient care, and personal well-being. Here are several work schedule options to consider to optimize success in your midwifery practice: Traditional Clinic Hours: Embrace a structured schedule with traditional clinic hours, typically from 9 AM to 5 PM. This option provides consistency for both patients and staff, ensuring accessibility for routine appointments and consultations. Flexible Hours and Part-Time Options: Offer flexible work hours or part-time positions to accommodate midwives seeking a better work-life balance. This option allows for reduced hours while maintaining patient care standards and professional engagement. On-Call and Shift Work: Consider on-call or shift work arrangements, especially in hospital settings or birthing centers. Rotating shifts can provide coverage during evenings, weekends, and holidays, ensuring continuous care for expectant mothers. Telehealth and Remote Consultations: Integrate telehealth services into your practice to offer virtual consultations and prenatal care. This option enhances accessibility for patients and allows midwives to manage their schedules more efficiently. Shared Practice or Group Practice Models: Join a shared practice or group practice model where midwives collaborate and share patient responsibilities. This setup fosters teamwork, reduces workload burdens, and enhances patient care continuity. Home Visits and Community Outreach: Incorporate home visits and community outreach into your schedule to provide personalized care in patients’ homes. This option strengthens patient relationships and supports holistic healthcare delivery. Seasonal or Contract Work: Explore seasonal or contract work opportunities, such as providing support during peak birthing seasons or offering specialized services on a contractual basis. This flexibility allows midwives to adapt to fluctuating demand. Educational and Administrative Roles: Pursue educational or administrative roles within healthcare institutions or academic settings. These positions offer opportunities for mentorship, leadership development, and influencing policy in women’s health. Choosing the right work schedule as a midwife involves assessing personal preferences, patient needs, and professional goals. By exploring these options and adapting to evolving healthcare trends, midwives can achieve optimal work-life balance, enhance career satisfaction, and deliver exceptional care to women and families.
Midwife Students and Fellowships Options
Midwife Students and Fellowships Options Midwifery clinical sites are getting harder and harder to find. As a new graduate, the biggest hurdle is getting experience in a supportive environment in your first few years of getting a midwifery degree. Is your midwifery practice a good fit for a student or new midwifery graduate? Do you have the resources to support the slower pace a newer member of the team will initially cause to the work load? Midwifery students and new graduates are a great person to join the team if your practice is established and can financially support the additional resources needed to provide safe care. These fragile newbies need a direct preceptor that is happy to be asked questions frequently and provide skills that will make them a safe care provider to women and families in your practice. Once the student or new midwife has been with the team a month or so, things will shift. Having two people taking a case load won’t see so overwhelming, new evidence that student learned about in class will help practice improve standards and policies within office, and women will love having different personalities taking care of her during the pregnancy. Student are FREE LABOR! Your new team member will be a great asset for the practice. Make clear expectations of what your student or new graduate will look like. Are you only accepting students with a Labor and Delivery Nurse background? Is there only certain midwifery schools you will contract with? Did your practice create a detailed Fellowship program to help with midwifery salary overhead costs by hiring newer midwives? There are so many benefits to hiring “greener staff,” but the most important thing is having a well established practice that can handle the required additional resources for the newer staff. Safety should never be scarified for sake of a budget. Have additional midwives on call with new graduate until competency in skills is documented. Give your student extra time with visits to learn a skill and ask questions after visit for better explanation of thought process. How is our profession going to grow without practices offering clinical sites or hiring new graduate midwives? All midwives have to start somewhere and if we show them what a strong, independent owned midwifery practice looks like, all the better for future of midwifery!
Midwife Students and Fellowships: OH, MY!
Midwife Students and Fellowship Midwife Student and Fellowship Midwifery clinical sites are getting harder and harder to find. As a new graduate, the biggest hurdle is getting experience in a supportive environment in your first few years of getting a midwifery degree. Is your midwifery practice a good fit for a student or new midwifery graduate? Do you have the resources to support the slower pace a newer member of the team will initially cause to the work load? Midwifery students and new graduates are a great person to join the team if your practice is established and can financially support the additional resources needed to provide safe care. These fragile newbies need a direct preceptor that is happy to be asked questions frequently and provide skills that will make them a safe care provider to women and families in your practice. Once the student or new midwife has been with the team a month or so, things will shift. Having two people taking a case load won’t see so overwhelming, new evidence that student learned about in class will help practice improve standards and policies within office, and women will love having different personalities taking care of her during the pregnancy. Student are FREE LABOR! Your new team member will be a great asset for the practice. Make clear expectations of what your student or new graduate will look like. Are you only accepting students with a Labor and Delivery Nurse background? Is there only certain midwifery schools you will contract with? Did your practice create a detailed Fellowship program to help with midwifery salary overhead costs by hiring newer midwives? There are so many benefits to hiring “greener staff,” but the most important thing is having a well established practice that can handle the required additional resources for the newer staff. Safety should never be scarified for sake of a budget. Have additional midwives on call with new graduate until competency in skills is documented. Give your student extra time with visits to learn a skill and ask questions after visit for better explanation of thought process. How is our profession going to grow without practices offering clinical sites or hiring new graduate midwives? All midwives have to start somewhere and if we show them what a strong, independent owned midwifery practice looks like, all the better for future of midwifery! Blog: https://midwiferybusinessconsultation.com/educational-pathways-for-midwives/
Midwife Scope of Practice
The midwifery scope of practice is defined as the range of roles, functions, responsibilities and activities which a registered midwife is educated, competent and has the authority to perform in the context of the midwifery definition. The SOMP can also be defined as the extent or limits of intervention that a midwife can perform. Importance of understanding Scope of Practice for Midwives Midwives’ services include comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and treatment. They conduct physical examinations; prescribe medications including contraceptive methods and controlled substances; admit, manage and discharge patients; order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests. In providing care they consult, collaborate, and refer to and with other health care professionals to ensure individuals receive team-based medical care consistent with medical needs and personal preferences. A growing number of U.S. mothers are turning to midwives for prenatal care, labor and birth. Research may tell us why – it shows that the midwifery model translates to substantial benefits in both maternal and infant health. Findings indicate that women who are cared for by midwives have fewer preterm births, less medical interventions, reduced labor inductions, lower use of regional anesthesia, decreased rates of cesarean birth and a 50% reduction in delivery cost. In fact, when a woman receives midwife care during pregnancy or birth, she has a 33 % lower risk of miscarriage, 19% lower risk of infant death and 31% lower risk of having a baby with low birth weight. The number of mothers opting for midwives over obstetricians is increasing: Since 1989, the percentage of certified nurse midwife-attended births has risen nearly every year. In 2014, nurse midwives attended 8.3% of hospital births, an 11% increase since 2005. Midwives are getting known and with this, giving proper expectation to what they can truly provide is a step they must initiate. They should let the community be aware of the type of practice they can deliver. Avoiding crucial events is another way they can preserve the virtue of midwifery community. The scope of midwifery practice differs state by state. In an independent practice state, CNMs can practice with full autonomy and prescriptive authority. Other states require CNMs to enter a collaborative or supervisory agreement, designating which practices require additional consent or supervision of a partnering physician. Hospital systems can further regulate Nurse-Midwives beyond this scope of practice. Taking measures to fully understand the scope of midwifery practice is a smart way to enter the world of midwifery. Know more about CNM, CM, and CPM Scope of Practice for each State by clicking the link provided below. This is a great introductory course into midwifery and birth centers for anyone wanting to learn more about this amazing profession! Going Back to Basics: Midwifery Scope & Standards Scope of Practice for Certified Nurse Midwives Scope of Practice for Certified Professional Midwives References: Kerry. (2017, March 27). Capacity building efforts help practices expand access to midwifery care. Health Foundation for Western & Central New York. Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://hfwcny.org/capacity-building-efforts-help-practices-expand-access-midwifery-care/ How does the role of nurse-midwives change from State to state? GU-MSN. (2021, April 9). Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://online.nursing.georgetown.edu/blog/scope-of-practice-for-midwives/ Nurse-Midwifery. Scope of Practice | Nurse-Midwifery | MSN | School of Nursing | Vanderbilt University. (n.d.). Retrieved July 15, 2022, from https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/msn/nm/nm_scope.php#:~:text=Midwives%20provide%20comprehensive%20assessment%2C%20diagnosis,interpret%20laboratory%20and%20diagnostic%20tests. Scope of midwifery practice: Concept analysis – researchgate. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317151882_Scope_of_Midwifery_Practice_Concept_Analysis
Midwife Marketing Budget Friendly Tips – MBC
When you’re trying to get visibility for your midwifery practice, there’s no need to let a limited budget get you down. Established brands may have more money, but you can still have the smartest marketing strategy around. Discover 15 budget-friendly (and some free) marketing tips for small business owners, so you can reach more potential customers and get the most from every cent. 11 cost free marketing tips for midwifery practices No midwifery marketing staff member? No problem. Even beginners can implement great marketing tactics without spending a dime. Here are 11 midwifery marketing tips that you and your team can implement right now. 1. Providing Advocacy Resources into the Community Add value with education and resources on the internet and within your community. Start a Youtube channel. Create a website that has many tabs for information about the practice, midwifery, and breaking down barriers to accessing your services. Talk at the local nursing class about midwifery. Be on your local news station. The more people can learn about midwifery and its benefits, the more likely they will choose a midwife! 2. Re-engage past customers with email newsletters Most marketers identify email marketing as the best way to achieve customer retention. By sending regular emails with valuable content, you can keep existing customers (who spend 31% more than new customers) coming back. A weekly or monthly email newsletter is a great start. Build loyalty by regularly updating customers on your business, current promotions, industry news, and more. Create a referral program for past clients to send new pregnant friends your way! 3. Offer value through blogging Blogs are excellent content marketing tools that allow you to position yourself as an industry leader. You can build trust by writing in-depth blog posts answering specific questions your target audience may have. For example, a landscaping business may write a blog post about artificial grass installation, detailing what it is, how to do it, how much it costs, and how professionals can help. To ensure your blog reaches the right readers, use search engine optimization (SEO) tactics. Inserting keywords—for example, “artificial turf” and “artificial grass installation”—throughout your post, linking to other pages on your website, and linking to external sites with high domain authority can help you rank higher on search engine results pages. 4. Optimize your site for best results Another key SEO tactic is website optimization. Search engines don’t just take your content into consideration when determining your rank; they also consider how easy your site is to use. Make sure your site is mobile-friendly, your navigation is well-organized, and your web pages load fast. Pro tip: Reducing file sizes can help. 5. Boost engagement with video content marketing Video is expected to make up over 82% of consumer internet traffic by 2022. Plus, Facebook and YouTube—two major platforms for video—are the world’s most popular social networks, while TikTok is quickly rising. You don’t need professional video editing skills to take advantage of this online marketing tactic (or even go viral). With just a smartphone camera, you can use video to: Do live Q&As with potential clients Give followers a behind-the-scenes look at your business Explain a process (like how to fix a clog for plumber marketing) Do a product demo 6. Start conversations with social media marketing No digital marketing conversation is complete without mentioning social media, which 72% of U.S. adults use. From Facebook and LinkedIn to Twitter and Snapchat, social media platforms drive conversations, which help build brand awareness and relationships with clients. Beyond publishing social media posts that offer value to your followers, make sure you’re engaging with your potential clients. Respond to comments and direct messages (DMs), share posts you’re tagged in, and join trending conversations relevant to your brand. 7. Generate word of mouth with a referral program Even with the power of the internet, word-of-mouth marketing is still a powerful marketing tool. More than 80% of consumers trust recommendations from family or friends, which means direct referrals can help you get some of the highest-quality leads. Don’t wait for clients to refer you on their own. Use your email marketing tool to automate a follow-up email request within a day or two after a client buys from you. To incentivize your customers, offer rewards like gift cards or discounts for successful referrals. 8. Amplify satisfied customers with reviews Most potential clients trust online reviews as much as recommendations from family and friends. When a client gives you a positive review online, they’re basically referring thousands of people to you at once. But if you want to keep getting great reviews, you have to respond to all your reviews. When you claim your Yelp Business Page, you can start managing your online reputation by responding to every review in a timely manner. Thank your happy customers for their reviews to build loyalty, and respond professionally to negative reviews to show your stellar service. Some reviewers may even upgrade their star rating as a result of your courteous responses. 9. Partner with local businesses A great way to generate more referrals is by partnering with other brands like doula services childbirth educators, lactation consultants, chiropractors, naturopaths, and private medical practices. Work only with reputable brands offering complementary services so you can share exclusive referrals. The like-minded business will have customers who are more likely to choose your midwifery services. 10. Build a brand that sells itself No matter which of our marketing tips for small business owners you add to your marketing plan, excellent branding should be part of all your efforts. A consistent brand experience can help you gain loyal clients, build trust, and help consumers remember your business. Get started with small business branding by: Using the same visual branding (colors, logo, font, etc.) across all marketing channels Using the same tone of voice for social media, customer support, and beyond Sending the same key messages in all your marketing campaigns 11. Reach your exact target audience with paid ads Most digital advertising platforms offer sophisticated tools for reaching the right users. With these targeted online ads, your marketing dollars go toward users who fit your ideal client profile, and you pay only when you earn a click. Plus, you can set your own budget for ad campaigns, so you never have to overextend yourself. Some platforms allow you to target your audience based on interests and demographics while others, like Yelp Ads, let you target specific locations and keywords. With Yelp Ads, your brand will show up above search results for select
Midwife Interviewing Questions For Partners, Colleagues, & Staff
When you are a business owner, particularly when you are a midwife practicing on your own, one thorny matter involves finding people to help you grow your business. Most midwives are not jacks of all trades who can master everything, so learning how to hire people to be on your team is essential. I have previously discussed several topics, such as creating your own mastermind team and hiring & firing staff, that are very helpful when you start looking for people. In this article I will share some great tips and questions that you can use in hiring others such as a business partner, new staff, and even collaborating practitioners. When interviewing a potential candidate for the position, there are several things that you should keep in mind. 1. Job Description Knowing the job description in depth is an important first step, whether you are looking to hire someone or looking for another practitioner to collaborate with. It is helpful to write out a list of your expectations. This should include the specific responsibilities you will be asking of the person you are hiring. A well-written job description establishes a solid set of expectations that can be communicated clearly to your potential employee. An awareness of expectations also helps build an initial set of tasks once you have found the right person for the job. 2. Qualifications and Experiences Delineating the qualifications and experiences you are looking for in an applicant are important to specify prior to interviewing potential candidates. Does the person have the skills you are looking for? Before doing any type of interview, make sure you have clearly stated your list of qualifications, so you do not waste both your time and the time of your interviewee. This may be less relevant if, for instance, your practice is expanding and is open to accepting a new midwife graduate – but you will still want to know in detail about clinical experiences during their training, their philosophy and approach to care. In a case such as this, previous job experience prior to their midwifery training would also be relevant. And remember it’s okay to ask for—and check—references. 3. Skills Needed Last on your list is the required skillset for the position. Different job descriptions with different qualifications require different set of skills. If you are hiring a midwifery business partner, you will likely be looking for someone with skills in both business and midwifery. If you are hiring a collaborating midwife or a physician, then you might be looking for a different skill set, such as level of care offered in their practice. These are just few things that you need to write down before doing an interview. Now let’s look at some of the basic questions that you can ask when doing an interview. Interview Questions for Potential Candidates a. Training, certifications, licenses, experience (this might include certifications such as NRP, BLS, ACLS, STABLE, PALS, RNC-EFM, RNC-OB & ALSO along with a resume). You should also be prepared to provide your own documents if interviewing a potential collaborating practitioner. b. What policies and protocols do you have for management of higher risk situations (e.g. PPH, non-reassuring FHR, breech, twins, preterm delivery, postdates, shoulder dystocia, newborn resuscitation, or SGA/LGA). You want a sense of their scope of practice protocols, and when they would call a physician for collaboration, referral and/or transfer. c. Give examples of high risk situations to each other and learn the management style of each provider (do you both follow the newest evidence-based guidelines or rely on what you were taught by your preceptor or learned from experience?) d. How do you keep up with continuing education and evolving practice standards? How often are policies reviewed and updated? Do you participate in peer reviews committees? Where do you attain your information—from Up To Date, Evidence Based Birth, journals/research articles? Do you have an ACNM, NACPM, MANA, and/or ACOG membership? Do you read their journals? Have you attended any relevant conferences, whether in person or virtually? e. If you are interviewing a potential collaborating practitioner, you will want to delineate how you plan to communicate with each other if backup/coverage for a patient is needed. This should include planning for both a vacation/day off and for the eventuality of one of you having two women in labor simultaneously and needing help now, as well as how you we compensate each other (per visit or birth vs. at an hourly rate). Now that you have your questions prepared, you also need to prepare to be an effective and respectful interviewer. Make sure that you arrive 5 minutes before the schedule, and dress accordingly to encourage respect from the interviewee. Make an impression that you are the best, and that you are also looking for the best. Midwifery Business Consultation has numerous resources available for your interviewing and collaboration needs. You will find some links below—and you can always visit our website to find more. Midwifery Business Consultation YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@MidwiferyBusinessConsultation
Midwife Business Billing and Coding Tips: Essentials for Success
Insurance reimbursement is the bread and butter of most midwifery practice. If you have a cash paying only population like Amish or Mennonite home birth practice, you can just skip this posts. For the rest of the midwives out their needing to understanding this confusing health insurance game. Medical expenses are a huge burden for Americans and to be able to run your practice long term successfully, you will need to learn this system. Insurance reimbursement is the bread and butter of most midwifery practice. If you have a cash paying only population like Amish or Mennonite home birth practice, you can’t just skip this posts. My resources are available for the rest of the midwives out their needing to understanding this confusing health insurance game. Medical expenses are a huge burden for Americans and to be able to run your practice long term successfully, you will need to learn this system. The goal of this blog article is to help with basics of billing and coding. We will do further posts about details of different aspects of practice and insurance billing. There are billing codes (CPT codes) that are sent to an insurance company for services rendered by a CNM and her team. The diagnosis code applicable with CPT codes are needed to be attached to the claim. Verification of benefits is strongly recommended prior to seeing a patient to make sure coverage for service being offered are covered, no prior authorization is needed for services, and what level of patient financial responsibility for care is warranted. Does today’s visit go towards deductible, co-payment, or co-insurance? Is it covered completely even if deductible isn’t met due to the Affordable Care Act? Will the insurance plan cover a birth with a CNM, but only in hospital setting versus home? Is the midwife in network or out of network with insurance plan? If out of network, does insurance have out of network benefits (called a PPO plan). HMO listed on the card states only in network provider coverage. These are all examples of really important questions to ask when checking into an insurance plan. You can directly do your billing, hire a Billing Specialist as part of your team, or out source the Billing Services. Each one has pros and cons. With a small midwifery practice, it does make sense to directly do your own billing for care. You would directly know the services rendered, be in charge of how quickly claims are sent out and paid by insurance plan and patient, and not have to pay additional commission to billing staff or agency. Downside is billing and coding is a complicated system and many providers would rather care for patients and not deal with billing regulations and jargon involved. Having someone in house is cheaper if the practice is large enough to support the employee costs. With having a smaller practice, paying a commission for services actually paid for with a billing agency makes the most sense. I have always liked using a Electronic Health Records (EHR) system that is a one stop shop for resources for my practice. Having an EHR system that does your billing for you is really helpful. Athena Health has been my “go to” system for years. I have been really impressed with their small practice customization. I can use all or none their administration services like billing, charting, appointment reminders, scheduling, patient portal, e-prescribing, lab and imaging ordering, and electronic referrals to specialists. There is no up front costs and they are paid when I get paid. It is a great option when there is little start up funds for practice and long term knowing that the EHR system will continually try to improve their services. If I don’t get paid, they don’t get paid. WIN-WIN! We developed the course, Comprehensive Billing and Coding for Birth Centers and Midwives, to help you understand the crucial elements that enable your practice Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUZuJrrGcOo