Navigating Care
Navigating healthcare and insurance can be very confusing and overwhelming, especially when seeking reproductive support. This page aims to help by simplifying common insurance terms, explain different types of reproductive healthcare providers, and provide tools that will help you feel more confident advocating for your health!
Understanding Insurance
Understanding your insurance coverage is a key step in accessing healthcare. Learning about the basics and knowing how to verify coverage will help you reduce stress and improve access to care.
What is a deductible?
Most health insurance plans include a deductible, which is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance begins covering certain healthcare costs. However, every insurance plan is different. Some services, such as preventive care, annual checkups, or specific medications, may still be covered before you meet your deductible. Certain plans may also have very low deductibles or none at all.
What is a copay?
A copay is a fixed amount you pay for a healthcare service, such as a doctor’s appointment or prescription, while your insurance covers the remaining cost. The amount varies depending on your insurance plan and the type of visit or service.
How do I know if a provider accepts my insurance?
You can usually check if a healthcare provider accepts your insurance through visiting the insurance company’s website and searching their providers list. You should also call the provider’s office directly and ask if they accept your specific insurance plan. It is important to confirm both the insurance company and the exact plan name, since providers may accept some plans but not others.
Finding a Provider
Different healthcare professionals are there to provide different kinds of support. Understanding each role can help you choose care that is best aligned with your needs.
OB/GYN
An OB/GYN is a medical doctor specializing in aspects of reproductive health like pregnancy and childbirth. Routine care is provided, such as annual exams and checkups, pregnancy care, and general treatment for reproductive health conditions.
Midwife
A midwife is a trained healthcare professional who provides care during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum recovery, and reproductive health as a whole. In cases especially with low-risk pregnancies, midwives focus on patient- centered and supportive care.
Nurse Practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an advanced nurse who can diagnose conditions, prescribe medications for a variety of healthcare issues, and provide exams. NP's can specialize in women's health and can provide routine care.
Doula
A doula does not provide medical care, rather they are trained professionals who provide non-medical support to pregnant individuals. This can be before, after or during childbirth and they provide physical, emotional, and educational support.
Reproductive Endocrinologist
Reproductive endocrinologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating infertility and other reproductive or hormonal disorders. For example, they can help men and women find out why a woman can't get pregnant (New York Presbyterian, 2025). They help thousands of patients become "parents and preserve their future fertility" (Mount Sinai, 2025).