Comparison of hospital maternity charges to consumers of certified nurse-midwives, family practitioners, and obstetricians

The purposes of this research were to present descriptive data on the types of maternity charges for the low-risk maternity client in a community hospital maternity charges to consumers of certified nurse-midwives' family practitioners, and obstetricians' services. The researcher utilized the Delivery Log and billing records to collect demographic information and hospital charges. The sample consisted of hospital bills of women having normal vaginal delivers at a community hospital selected between December 1, 1981 and March 31, 1982, resulting in 60 certified nurse-midwives', 39 obstetricians' and 161 family practitioners' clients. The results of the research identified six items with significant mean charges differences between provider groups. These were: electronic fetal monitoring, extra gowns, extra supplies, anesthesia, pharmacy, and intravenous equipment. This led to a significantly lower mean total hospital charges for the certified nurse-midwifery group. The finding indicated that numerous small charges, perhaps related to provider preferences and practices, resulted in the total hospital charge differences.