Missouri Foundation for Health Grant Helps with Hospital Readmissions
September 25, 2014Preparations Underway for Eighth Annual TCMH Healthcare Foundation Chili Cook Off
October 23, 2014The Texas County Memorial Hospital obstetrics departments has the “Baby-Land Express” program to allow expectant moms without health insurance coverage to plan ahead and pre-pay for part of their obstetrical care.
Angela Raymond, TCMH obstetrics department director, with one of Texas County’s newest residents–Blake Brown.
“Baby-Land Express gives prospective parents a cost-effective way to handle their financial arrangements prior to the birth of their baby,” Angela Raymond, TCMH obstetrics department director, said.
The 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.
“With the addition of new obstetrics providers at TCMH, it’s important that area patients know that we want to work with them to have a hospital stay that fits their personal needs and desires,” Raymond said.
This summer 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, in providing obstetrical care at TCMH.
“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 added that all of 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.
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.
“Expectant parents have enough to think about without having to worry about the costs associated with having their baby,” Raymond said. “We want them to be able to make plans for the cost and concentrate on the joyous event coming their way.”
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.