United Healthcare Denies Young Mother Choice For Labor And Delivery

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 11 Sep 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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"During my pregnancy, I had to endure a five-month-long battle with United Healthcare relating to maternity coverage. It was my desire to give birth either at home or at a birthing center. I didn't wish to give birth in a hospital setting unless there were complications. Unfortunately, my healthcare plan didn't support my decision and denied two appeals to provide coverage for my choice, which by the way, is supported by Florida law," writes Susan Christiansen of Altamonte Springs, Fla.

"There are countless studies proving that home/birth center births are safe (many times with more favorable outcomes than hospital births) and result in fewer complications, interventions, and, most importantly, C-sections.

"When I found out that UHC would only pay for an in-network midwife and that none were anywhere close to where I lived, I applied for 'Network Gap Exception.' The 'exception' rule approves coverage for an out-of-network provider or facility if there isn't an in-network provider or facility within a radius of 30 miles. I could not find an in-network birthing center within my area, yet I was denied the exception based on the fact that there was one nurse midwife who delivers in a hospital setting within 30 miles. When I looked her up on the UHC website, she did not show up as an in-network provider, or at all, for that matter."

"Unfortunately, my healthcare plan didn't support my decision and denied two appeals to provide coverage for my choice. I ended up paying the $5,000 myself for the delivery at the birth center. I was lucky that there were no complications-my 11 week-old son is now in the 90 percentile for weight! While I understand that all women do not feel as comfortable as I do giving birth outside of a hospital setting, it is just as important to honor every woman's choice as to what is best for her, her baby and her experience," said Christiansen.

Read stories like this every day through Election Day at: http://www.GuranteedHealthcare.org

Eighty-two percent of Americans think the U.S. healthcare system should be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt (Commonwealth Fund, Aug. 7, 2008). America's nurses know that only single-payer, improved and expanded Medicare for all will fix our broken system and the tragedy of our devastated families. HR 676, by U.S. Rep John Conyers, is the most comprehensive, cost effective way to achieve guaranteed healthcare for all. Read prior stories in this series at http://www.GuranteedHealthcare.org.

California Nurses Association

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