Oregon Health Plan Covers Midwives

There have been rumors that the Oregon Health Plan will not cover the costs for people who choose to have their baby with a midwife as their provider. OHA does cover midwives — and a variety of other community birth services — if you meet certain criteria.  

OHA will determine if you are eligible for a community birth service if you demonstrate a low-risk pregnancy, and your provider’s request is approved, and you meet state legal requirements. 

High-risk conditions require a hospital birth, which includes those with an active gynecologic cancer, prior cesarean section, type one and type two diabetes, and others listed in this document created by the OHA. These high-risk conditions are highlighted in red. Those highlighted in yellow are considered potentially risky conditions which require a consultation to determine community birth eligibility.  

Community birth services covered by OHP include: 

• Risk assessment; 
• Antepartum care, vaginal delivery, and 60 days of postpartum care; 
• Tests performed by community provider; 
• Labor support if patient needs to be relocated to a hospital; 

• One OHP assistant to act as a second birth attendant; 
• Evaluation and care of newborns on the day of delivery; and, 
• Supplies needed for a home birth.
  

Community birth providers practicing within the scope of their license are to be reimbursed by OHP for prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. This includes Samaritan Health Services’ midwife services. 

You can apply for the Oregon Health Plan here. 

By: Momoko Baker