Frequently asked questions.

This looks expensive. Do you take Apple health or insurance?

This care is for YOU!!! Access to this care is our priority. We bill Apple Health to ensure that all low-risk folks who want it can have this care. We are able to bill your insurance. We are currently in-network with: Apple Health, Molina, Regence, Premera, Cigna, Ambetter, some United plans, First Choice, Lifewise, and Kaiser. Aetna is choosing not to provide new contracts to midwives despite great consumer need. You have a lot of power to change the face of how your insurance works for you - you can advocate for coverage. If you have out of network benefits, we would be covered as an out of network provider. We are also registered providers with the Muckleshoot tribe.

So there are no out of pocket expenses?

If you are having a homebirth there are a few supplies your midwife will talk about with you - puppy pads, etc, but it should cost no more than around $20-30. If you are borrowing a birth tub, there are more expenses involved that will be discussed with you. You will be responsible for paying a midwifery fee, as insurance does not cover all the staff needed to keep your birth safe. Other than what is not covered by your deductible, your co-insurance and co-pays, there are no additional fees for your midwifery care.

Having a home VBAC has additional out of pocket expenses that your midwife will discuss with you.

We are supported by Island Billing and you can reach out for an estimate and to check your insurance benefits here: www.islandbillingseattle.com

What birth centers are an option?

We will be opening our birth center in 2024. Until that time I maintain privileges at Center for Birth in Seattle, and Seattle Home Maternity Services in Columbia City. If you would like care with Mercedes and Something Beautiful Midwifery she has privileges at The Tacoma Birthing Inn. Homebirth is always an option! And anywhere you have your baby, you can birth how you desire - waterbirth, birth on the bed, in a special space created for your birth, a yurt, outside, - whatever feels right to you!

Do you serve my community?

I serve South King County. Some specific cities: Auburn, Kent, Covington, Renton, Maple Valley, Ravensdale, North Bend, Issaquah, Des Moines, Federal Way, Burien, White Center, West Seattle, South Seattle, Algona, Pacific, Enumclaw, Edgewood, Fife, and Tacoma. Both Mercedes and I are registered providers with the Muckleshoot Tribe.

Do we have any data to support the safety of community birth?

OODLES of data! Book a meet and greet and we will happily give you a bajillion links. We can also email you links if you ask when you submit the “contact us” form. You can also check out Evidence Based Birth. I’d link links here, but the library of supportive data is so big, it would probably crash this website!