How do you find out provider cesarean delivery rates? We have a new resource we want to share with you below. We are excited about this resource because in our experience we have found resources are limited for comparing provider rates. During the first week of Pain to Power Online Childbirth Classes and Videos (Pregnancy: Full of Life) we encourage participants to research their providers by asking, “How do you know you’re getting good care?” and offer resources, but in the future we hope to offer even more comprehensive resources.
Let’s look at what is available to pregnant women regarding their provider cesarean rates. For a subscription fee, one can check Consumer Reports and one can also check the CDC as well as one’s home state Department of Health, but without a PhD it takes some time to find and compare the numbers. Since cesarean rates vary so greatly – at a low with the World Health Organization recommending no more than a 10-15%, to states in the U.S. such as New Jersey and Louisiana, reaching the mid 30% range, it is important to know your provider’s rate. We are often put in the position of asking our providers directly using such prompts as found in Choices in Childbirth’s Questions to Ask Your Care Provider.
A new resource that is available is Amino and they source their data from insurance claims, explaining on their website, “Every time you visit a doctor, an electronic insurance claim record is created to help your provider request payment from your insurance. These records contain a lot of useful information, including facts on the doctor, treatment, and costs. Billions of records like these are created annually as hundreds of millions of people get care.”
Their blog, “The story behind C-sections in America: A state-by-state analysis and a new C-section predictor for pregnant women” provides an interactive map that shares some “statistics related to C- sections along with a predictor tool that reveals C-section rates by doctor.” To find provider rates, start at the homepage and proceed from there. Check it out and let us know what you think. Will you be using Amino?
What resources do you currently suggest to clients who want to know more about their provider rates?
We hope to discuss with you and other readers, so please leave your comments below, for birthkeepers and expectant mothers to see.
Another take on Amino that you may be interested to read: http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/2015/12/two-resources-for-comparing-c-section-rates/