Texas County Memorial Hospital now offers a program that allows expectant moms without health insurance coverage to pre-pay for part of their obstetrical care.
The “Baby-Land Express” program covers hospital based charges and services including: childbirth education classes; access to labor and delivery staff at TCMH; use of labor and postpartum rooms at TCMH; routine diagnostic services; access to an internationally board certified lactation consultant, and individualized education regarding care of mother and baby after delivery.
“Expectant parents have enough to think about without having to worry about the costs associated with having their baby,” said Angela Raymond, TCMH obstetrics department director. “We want them to be able to make plans for the cost and concentrate on the joyous event coming their way.”
To participate in the Baby-Land Express program, expectant mothers must be pre-registered at TCMH, have their physician’s approval and pre-pay for their stay prior to delivery.
Two pre-payment plans are offered: a 24-hour or less stay after delivery or a 25- to 48-hour stay after delivery. Both plans can include an optional epidural. Pricing is for hospital charges for a single infant delivery. Physician fees, multiple births, or cesarean delivery are not included in the pre-paid plans.
“Even if a delivery doesn’t go as planned, the pre-paid portion can go toward the overall cost of the hospital care,” Raymond said.
Payment options are available through the TCMH business office. Each patient can work with patient accounts staff to set up a plan that works best for them.
Obstetrical care is available from four providers at the hospital. Dr. Christopher Baldwin, a board certified obstetrician and gynecologist, and Tracey Arwood, a certified nurse midwife, joined Dr. Joshua Wolfe and Dr. Tricia Benoist, family medicine and obstetrics physicians, this past summer.
“At TCMH we have a variety of highly skilled and experienced professionals available to women that are pregnant or planning to become pregnant,” Raymond said. “Our obstetrics department staff takes pride in bringing the latest in birthing concepts to our community, too.”
Raymond said the TCMH obstetrics department staff is trained in natural childbirth techniques as well as holding certifications in emergency care of mothers and their babies.
“Our team is committed to a family-centered childbirth experience that includes bonding before and after the birthing experience, and we want this experience to be available to all area parents,” Raymond said.
For additional information about the Baby-Land Express program, contact the TCMH obstetrics department at 417-967-1275 or Sara Fields in the TCMH business office at 417-967-1292