services, fees & insurance
Initial and Regular Appointments
Initial Lactation Consultations usually take 1.5 - 3 hours depending on the unique situations of different mother-baby dyads/triads etc.
One way to make your appointment a little more efficient would be to print, complete(leave blank any information you are not sure about) and have ready the following forms prior to your scheduled Lactation Consultation appointment:
HIPPA Privacy Practices (not necessary to print, but do take a moment to read)
Follow-up consultations are generally 30 minutes to 1 hr depending again upon individual situations and needs.
It is often said “no news is good news” -however I would love to hear from you by phone or email following your last consultation to know that all is going well with you or to listen to any further quick breastfeeding questions you have. My goal is to see you satisfied in your breastfeeding experience.
Initial Consultation - For Birth Services
It is very important when selecting a support person who will be present at your birth to determine that there is a connection in communication styles and birth philosophy.
Due to my schedule, I must give first priority with my time to my current clients, therefore I no longer offer free consultations, however if you would like to meet me, I recommend you take one of my Childbirth Education
I work with some wonderful local back-up Doulas should I ever be with a client when you call. I have not yet missed a birth. If desired you can arrange to meet and chat with my back-up doula at some point during your pregnancy.
Scheduling Lactation Initiation Consultation at Birth
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression” -Oscar Wilde
Your birth location may or may not have an experienced IBCLC on hand. Thus I offer on-call Lactation Initiation Consultation directly after a birth (included for my birth clients).
The first hour(or ideally the first 30min) following birth is the most crucial time to initiate breastfeeding. This service must be scheduled in advance and is particularly useful if you foresee possible Lactation challenges, especially if you’ve had them in the past.
I will stay until you are comfortable that Breast-feeding Initiation has been successful. This service greatly reduces your chances of needing professional breast-feeding assistance at a later date.
Breast-Pump Rentals
I rent multi-user approved and Hospital Grade Breastpumps. Insurance may reimburse you for breast pump rentals depending on your coverage. I provide a Superbill if accompanied by a Lactation Consultation. See my Breast Pump Rental page for details.
Baby Carrier Rentals
Using baby carriers are an excellent way to help you breast-feed more often. I lend out several different types of baby carriers and offer some assistance helping you wear your baby in them until you decide which baby carrier you would like to buy. I do not sell any Baby Carriers, but I offer the lending service for you to get a “feel” for the one you would like to use in the long-term. For established clients you may lend a baby carrier free of charge for 2 weeks.
You may also lend the DVD: Tummy2Tummy which is a comprehensive Babywearing DVD outlining almost every type of baby carrier and style of hold imaginable so that you have the information you need to choose the carrier and hold that’s best for you and your baby.
Phone Consultations
I do offer phone consultations for Lactation, Pregnancy and Childbirth, preferably by Skype if you live in an area/country far from a local midwife.
Current Fees
Complete Birth Doula Services - $1100 to $1600 depending on several factors
Pregnancy/Nutritional Consultations - $90 1st hr, $80 2nd hr
Lactation Consultations (avg 1.5 hrs) - $100 1st hr, $80 2nd hr, $70 3rd hr
Babywearing Consultations - $50 half hr or $85 1hr
Childbirth Education Classes (2-3hrs) - usually $30 - $50 per class per couple
Hygeia Enjoye Pump Rental - $15/wk or $50/month
Ameda Elite Pump Rental - $20/wk or $70/month
Milk Supply SOS Basic Package - $500
Milk Supply SOS Premium Package - $950
Phone Consultation - $70/hr (Pay in advance by Paypal)
Immediate Lactation Assistance
Day/Night/Holiday (if available) - add $100 to total fee
Lactation Assistance At Birth
Day/Night/Holiday arranged Prenatally - add $200 to total fee
Hourly rates are prorated... eg if Lactation Consulation = 1hr 30min, total fee = $140
*All Pregnancy or Nutritional Consultations are for informational purposes only. I am not a Doctor and I do not claim to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure any disease.*
*With a focus on preventive health care, IBCLCs encourage self-care, empowering parents to make their own decisions. IBCLCs use a problem solving approach to provide evidence based information to pregnant and breastfeeding women and make appropriate referrals to other members of the health care team. The IBLCE has established Professional Standards for IBCLCs*
Breastfeeding advice is very personal and unique to each individual. As a breastfeeding mother myself, it is my passion to help other mothers to succeed. I am very committed to providing the ‘Gold Standard’ in Lactation Assistance and keeping my supplies and knowledge base up to date with continuing education seminars, classes and keeping abreast(no pun intended) of the latest research regarding breastfeeding.
Free Breastfeeding Help
La Leche League of Monterey Peninsula offers free breastfeeding advice and support groups, you may find them by a quick Google search.
My services are specialized as I trained for years as a Midwife and Lactation Consultant, passing Board Exams and maintaining professional credentials, equipment and up-to-date information and insurance reimbursement resources. I offer fee-for-service care and feel that the care I provide is excellent and worth my rates.
I feel that all new mothers can benefit from a support network and I recommend all my clients to join the local La Leche League monthly meetings in Pacific Grove in addition to receiving professional assistance when necessary. I think you’ll find that you will get what you pay for when hiring me.
Payment Expectations
Payment is always expected at time of service. If you have called me to provide a Consultation, have payment ready when I arrive. I don’t enjoy talking about money, but I do need to be paid on time so that I can continue to be here to serve local families. Please have the appropriate amount ready through Paypal, Cash or Check. Thank you in advance!
Insurance
For Birth Services, a deposit is due upon signing the consent for services. I do offer payment plans on an individualized basis. Any applicable discounts from incentives will be applied and refunded to you within 2 weeks following birth.
I am happy to provide you with a document detailing the codes/procedures for your insurance company. You will be responsible for following up with claims/appeals if necessary with your insurance company.
If I can help by providing you with suggestions and additional resources to gain reimbursement, I will gladly offer my assistance, as it’s my belief that all women have the right to necessary and skilled birth and breastfeeding support.
For Birth services, the amount reimbursed to you may be affected by whether you gain(or at least request) pre-approval for services prenatally. You may contact me for paperwork/codes pertaining to my services when attempting to gain pre-approval for services.
When claims are filed correctly and in a timely manner(under 3 months is recommended!), most of my clients are able to receive full or partial reimbursement as I am certified and licensed to provide my services and hold a National Provider Identifier Number(language that helps insurance companies recognize a qualified provider).
Cancellations of Appointments, Consultations or Classes
So far I have not charged for cancelled appointments/consultations/classes. However cancellations can actually be quite an inconvenience - especially same day cancellations as I often pre-arrange childcare. Late cancellations mean that another client cannot be scheduled in that slot. Please do try to be on time and if you think you may be late or not make it at all - call me and let me know as soon as possible, preferably days in advance so that I am able to schedule another client at that time or at the very least cancel pre-arranged childcare. Thanks!
Donations
Occasionally I provide low-cost birth assistance, free classes, discounted services, provide resources, books, DVD’s etc to the local birth community. I maintain current lists of local birth related activities and provide all initial birth support consultations free of charge. I sometimes spend quite a bit of time answering/redirecting birth/breastfeeding f.a.q. through email. I am passionate about supporting moms and babies. My ability to continue this unconditional support the relies upon the finances I have to work with.
Donations are always welcome, go to good use, and are very appreciated!
Email me for my Paypal account info, or you may send a check to:
Jennifer Remeika
P.O. Box 880
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
If you have any further questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please give me a call. If I am with a client, please leave a detailed message and I will return your call shortly.
Commitment to Non-Toxic, Organic Supplies
I have a commitment to myself and my clients to use the least toxic supplies during appointments, consultations and other interactions with clients. I avoid PVC Vinyl, BPA, Plastic(when possible) and other materials known, evidenced or strongly suspected to be toxic whenever possible. I try to use Silicon (eg. feeding tubes, milk storage containers), PVC-free, BPA-free, Non-toxic, organic/holistic materials and supplies in my interactions with clients whenever possible because I understand that the unborn, the newly born, and childbearing women are especially sensitive to their needs for a pure, toxin-free environment, in all aspects.
Monday Wednesday Friday evenings. Some weekend times also available by prior arrangement. I recommend reserving your interview time well in advance....
