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| Waiting Room At Klamath Women's Center, LLC |
What a process. Trying to get a practice off the ground is hard work. Even with all the supportive regulations for midwives in Oregon, there is still a lot of politics. I guess I am guilty of fantasizing that some how all of the negative sides I have encountered in midwifery over the past 30 years were just going to go away. As some of you may know my plan was to open a health care facility. Let me just say, it is still in process. We managed to get the physical facility passed the preliminary inspection with the Facilities, Planning & Safety committee. I have sent in more money and we haven't heard anything.
We are also in process of getting health insurance contracts. I think it has gotten harder than it was 15 years ago. Most of it takes place online, but no two are the same. Some are done online, others by fax, some by papers, and others yet want a combination of all of them. Some times I feel like I am chasing my tail.
I advertised some when I first opened in mid-February. I got few clients, but have stopped advertising because the facility licensing process has been so time consuming. I have been a writing fool. Sixty pages one weekend and another forty plus the following weekend. This pass week however because I didn't have very many patients scheduled, I had time to do some networking.
I have not be able to find anyone to do my billing. The companies that have come recommended are not taking new clients or they have a different world view that does not include the independent practice of midwives who attend births outside of the hospital. So, when you can't find someone to do the work for you, what do you do? You do it yourself. Fifteen years ago I did my own billing, then when I got too busy, my mother, Irene, took it over. She did a wonderful job, but now at 75 she was not sure she wanted to take it on. She is working in the office however, answering phones and doing a lots of phone calls, and credentialing. She is my business partner in the LLC.
Now, back to the idea of when you have to do something yourself. I didn't want to do a half-baked job. This is my income we are talking about. So, I am enrolled at Klamath Community College taking a Health Information Management class on insurance billing. So, on top of everything else I am doing, I go to a four hour class twice a week and do my homework.
On a good note, I found liability insurance company that writes for independent certified nurse midwives with the limits the health insurance companies require for contracting (1M, 3M). And, (drum roll) I was approved to participate in the Oregon Rural Health Liability Insurance Subsidy program. They will reimburse me for 80% of my premiums, just because I am practicing in Klamath County and do obstetrics. Yeah!
I hope it doesn't sound like I am whining. I love my work. However, I hope the health insurance contracts and the facility licensing come through soon. https://www.klamathwomenscenter.com
