Bringing new life into the world is an exciting and deeply personal journey. At ShareWELL, we’re here to support you every step of the way, ensuring your maternity experience is empowered, informed, and well-supported. If you’re a ShareWELL member with an eligible maternity sharing request, here’s what you need to know about what’s included, what’s not, and the essential steps to ensure your care is shared effectively.

Step One: Confirming Eligibility

Maternity sharing with ShareWELL begins with verifying your eligibility. To qualify, your pregnancy must be confirmed to have begun at least 30 days after your membership start date. Once you suspect or confirm a pregnancy, please submit clinical notes from your first appointment as soon as possible. These notes help us verify your eligibility and begin coordinating your Sharing Request.

Step Two: Present as a Self-Pay Patient

As a ShareWELL member, you are free to see the providers of your choice, with no networks and the freedom to choose. When you go to your care provider, you’ll present as a self-pay patient. This allows you to take advantage of self-pay pricing, and it also enables ShareWELL to facilitate sharing effectively.

You will request a global maternity package from your provider. A global package typically includes:

• Prenatal visits
• Routine lab work
• Delivery (vaginal or cesarean)
• Postpartum follow-up visit(s)

It’s important to note that global packages vary, and not all services are always included. For instance, ultrasounds beyond the standard two, additional labs, high-risk pregnancy care, and anesthesia may fall outside the package. That’s why it’s essential to communicate with both your provider and ShareWELL to clarify what’s included and what’s not.

Step Three: Stay in Communication

We’ll be reaching out via email to confirm your care details and assist in coordinating the next steps. Please reply to these messages promptly and send us any bills that are outside your global package. Early and ongoing communication helps ensure timely sharing and reduces the likelihood of surprises or delays.

Also, as soon as you know where you plan to deliver, let us know. Some facilities offer self-pay discounts or programs that can reduce your personal Unshared Amount (UA). We can help you explore those options and guide you through any applications that may help lower your costs.

Broad Maternity Support and Holistic Care Options

One of the unique benefits of being a ShareWELL member is access to a wide range of eligible expenses related to prenatal and postnatal care. This includes traditional medical services, but also holistic care that supports your well-being throughout pregnancy.

Eligible expenses may include:

• Chiropractic care
• Acupuncture
• Doula services
• Midwifery
• Nutritional support
• Pelvic floor therapy

ShareWELL was designed to give mothers the freedom to choose the care that aligns with their values and preferences. Whether you’re seeing a midwife, using a birthing center, or working with a doula, you can use eligible sharing toward these services if they are part of your maternity care plan.

Simplifying the Process with Self-Pay and Prepayment

Whenever possible, we recommend arranging prepayment with providers. Prepaying as a self-pay patient can often lead to reduced rates and help streamline the sharing process. Our team is here to assist you in making these arrangements and ensuring you’re never navigating this alone.

Your Maternity Coordinator: A Dedicated Advocate

From the moment your maternity sharing request is approved, you’ll be paired with a ShareWELL maternity coordinator. This person is your go-to resource throughout the pregnancy journey. Whether you have billing questions, need help finding a provider, or want guidance on managing care logistics, your coordinator is here for you, every step of the way.

After Baby Arrives: Continued Support

The support doesn’t end at delivery. After your baby is born, your maternity coordinator will help you access an additional ShareWELL benefit: six months of diaper delivery, at no extra cost to you. You’ll have a variety of diaper brands to choose from, making those early months a little easier.

Welcoming a new baby is a life-changing experience, and ShareWELL is here to support you with clarity, compassion, and the resources you need. By understanding your sharing benefits and working closely with your coordinator, you can focus more on preparing for baby, and less on paperwork or billing.

If you’re expecting, make sure to submit your clinical notes early, communicate regularly, and explore all the care options available to you. We’re honored to be part of this chapter in your life.

The post A Guide for Maternity Sharing Requests appeared first on ShareWELL.

“A Tale of Jane and Jill”

Jane and Jillian are both excitedly preparing for the arrival of their babies, embracing a holistic approach to pregnancy. They have chosen homebirths and are supported by doulas—both committed to making their pregnancy journeys as natural and personal as possible. However, while their prenatal and birthing plans are nearly identical, their financial experiences are drastically different, highlighting the stark contrast between ShareWELL’s healthcare-sharing model and traditional plans.

As a ShareWELL member, Jane’s healthcare journey is smooth and financially manageable. With a $1,500 Unshared Amount (UA) in place, Jane begins her prenatal care knowing precisely what her out-of-pocket expenses will be. ShareWELL operates by having members cover an initial portion of their medical costs, known as the Unshared Amount, and anything beyond that is shared among the community, making healthcare more affordable for everyone involved.

Throughout her pregnancy, Jane is diligent about managing her costs. By choosing providers that align with her financial goals and utilizing ShareWELL’s support, she successfully keeps her healthcare expenses under $10,000. Because of this, Jane even qualifies for a reduction in her UA, lowering it to just $500. This benefit is a huge relief, making an already positive experience even better financially and emotionally. ShareWELL’s model has allowed Jane to enjoy the pre and postnatal care she prefers (acupuncture, chiropractic, and pelvic floor exercises) with a financial safety net of the community that alleviates the burden of unexpected or excessive costs.

In contrast, Jillian’s experience with traditional coverage is far more expensive and stressful. Despite opting for the same holistic services as Jane—homebirth and doula support—Jillian faces a much heavier financial burden. Her plan comes with a $7,000 deductible, meaning she must pay this substantial amount out of pocket before her insurance covers anything. On top of that, there are additional expenses that fall outside of her plan’s coverage, quickly adding up and putting further strain on her budget. When Jillian has paid for all her prenatal and birthing costs, she’s dealing with a significant financial load that clouds an otherwise joyful experience.

While both moms experience healthy pregnancies and births, their financial journeys are worlds apart. Thanks to ShareWELL, Jane can focus on her pregnancy without the looming stress of overwhelming costs. Her journey is supported by the healthcare providers she trusts and a community-based model that promotes financial sustainability. ShareWELL’s healthcare-sharing program empowers Jane to choose the care that best fits her needs without fear of hidden expenses or escalating costs.

On the other hand, Jillian must juggle the joy of impending motherhood with the anxiety of mounting medical bills. Her traditional plan, with its high deductible and limited coverage for holistic care, results in a much more stressful and expensive journey.

Ultimately, the difference between Jane’s and Jillian’s experiences highlights the distinct advantages of ShareWELL’s model. By offering a more flexible, compassionate, and affordable approach to healthcare, ShareWELL provides moms like Jane with the financial peace of mind they need to fully embrace one of life’s most important moments: the birth of their child.

The post An Affordable Holistic Maternity Story appeared first on ShareWELL.