The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has directed its regional offices to stop federal payments to any state for birth center services. This is a significant shift in reimbursement practices as birth centers have been a recognized Medicaid provider type in State Medicaid plans since 1987. So far, affected states include Alaska, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.
Denial of reimbursement is a problem not only because it bars local women with Medicaid from accessing care at the Birth Center but also because other insurers may follow CMS and deny coverage for birth center care. This is not an unusual practice.
Check the American Association of Birth Centers website for more information and contact Senator Wyden and Senator-elect Merkley and Congressman DeFazio. Tell them you want to see the Birth Center remain an option for all women. If you make the call, please email lanecofbc@gmail.com so we can let AABC.
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