Frequently asked questions
About Millie
What does Millie do?
Millie is a new kind of maternity clinic offering collaborative, compassionate, and culturally competent care from the preconception visit through the first year of a child’s life.
Where is Millie located?
Our first clinic is now open in Berkeley, CA! Stay tuned for announcements about more locations across the country.
Is Millie accepting patients?
Yes! You can book appointments at our Berkeley clinic in addition to virtual care. Sign up for our email list and be the first to know when we add additional services and locations.
What happens when I sign up?
We’ll add you to our email list for Millie updates, including when our first clinic officially opens! (We promise we’re not going to spam you.)
Can I request evening or weekend appointment times?
Yes! Just look through the open time slots and pick the one that works best for you. If you don’t find something that fits your schedule, you can write to us at scheduling@millieclinic.com and we’ll do our best to fit you in.
How can I contact you if I have questions?
Please email us anytime at support@millieclinic.com and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
For a deeper dive into what makes our care model unique, check out our about page!
I really need Millie’s services but need flexibility on payment terms. Is that possible?
We are committed to making better care accessible for all. Please write to us at support@millieclinic.com.
Clinic care
Do you take insurance? Which plans?
We are currently accepting PPO and HMO plans from the following insurance companies: Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, HealthNet, as well as some local networks. We also accept plans offered by Medi-Cal via Alameda Alliance for Health (AAH).
As we are newly in-network with many plans, there may be a delay before Millie appears on your insurer's provider search. This is expected and should not cause problems as long as you've confirmed your plan with us.
We know insurance can be confusing and would be happy to look up your plan to confirm coverage. Write to us at support@millieclinic.com or call us at 510-495-0310.
How are clinical services billed? What will my insurance cover?
All of your prenatal and postpartum visits with your Millie care provider are billed to insurance, subject to your plan's deductibles and copays. If there is a copay, it is payable via credit or debit card (we do not accept cash or checks). There are no separate fees for the Millie Guide, app, and remote monitoring. Labs, imaging, and your hospital care are also covered by insurance per your plan.
We know insurance can be confusing and would be happy to look up your plan to confirm coverage. Write to us at support@millieclinic.com or call us at 510-495-0310.
Who will I see during my prenatal visits?
If your pregnancy is considered low risk, you will see one of our Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) for your visits. If your pregnancy is considered moderate risk, your care will be co-managed by an OB-GYN and a CNM.
Are there any pregnancy risk levels that aren't a good fit for care at Millie?
We are currently not accepting high-risk pregnancies, but we would be happy to make a referral. Please give us a call at 510-495-0310 to discuss if Millie is a good fit for you!
Where will I deliver?
All births for Millie patients will take place at Alta Bates Campus Birth Center, located at 2450 Ashby Avenue in Berkeley.
Where will I get my lab tests?
We’ve partnered with LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics for all of your lab needs during pregnancy. Their sites are very conveniently located to our clinic. If you opt for genetic screening, we can order those tests through Natera.
Do I get a doula?
Every patient is paired with a Millie Guide who is a practicing doula. They will meet with you each trimester to go over key topics like creating birth preferences, postpartum planning, and more. They are also available to answer questions that come up between visits through the Millie app.
We are currently building a practice-affiliated birth doula network to support patients who would like additional care during labor and delivery.
Where do you offer postpartum home visits?
We offer postpartum home visits in the first week after delivery to patients who live in the cities of Berkeley, Oakland, Piedmont, Alameda, Albany, Emeryville, and El Cerrito. To those outside of this radius, a comprehensive virtual visit and/or in-clinic visit is still available in the first week after delivery.
Care model
What do you mean by “collaborative care”?
“Collaborative care” means you get the best of both worlds: the holistic approach of midwives and the deep medical expertise of OB-GYNs.
Do I have to choose between a midwife and an OB-GYN?
Nope! You’ll have both on your care team from the beginning.
When midwives are involved in maternity care, interventions may decrease and satisfaction increase. Co-managed care between a midwife and an OB-GYN can also decrease interventions, increase the rate of vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC), and improve other health outcomes.
Virtual care
Is virtual care covered by insurance?
If you live in the Bay Area and are a prospective clinic patient, the "Meet us virtually" visit is billed to insurance. Virtual services other than prenatal care appointments are not covered by insurance at this time, but you can use your HSA/FSA to pay for your visit.
Can I use my FSA or HSA for virtual care services?
Yep! You can use your HSA/FSA card to pay online or submit a superbill for reimbursement.
What is the cost of virtual care services?
The cost depends on the exact virtual care service you choose. You’ll be able to see all the prices listed on our Services page.
How are virtual care services billed?
There’s no billing required. You’ll either pay with your credit or debit card, or with your HSA/FSA. "Meet us virtually" is billed to your insurance.
How do I cancel or reschedule an appointment?
You can cancel or reschedule virtual care up until 24 hours before the service, either on your account page or through your confirmation email.
How can I learn more about what’s included in a particular care session?
We include descriptions of each care session on our services page, but you can always email us at support@millieclinic.com if there’s anything you need to know that we haven’t covered.
What do I need to do before my virtual appointment?
We’ll send you an intake form to fill out online so you and your provider can make the most of your time together. You’ll also have the chance to list out, in advance, what your questions or concerns are so they’re top of mind for your provider.
Can I give a Millie consult as a gift?
Yes! We can create a custom package of one or more virtual consultations for you. We'll send you a link to purchase, then we'll email the recipient a code they can use to schedule at their convenience. Just email support@millieclinic.com, subject line "Gift Certificate", with the appointment type(s) you'd like to purchase.
What Millie services are available to me if I reside outside California?
Millie's clinic-based services are currently limited to California. Our virtual care providers for preconception counseling and mental health are currently licensed to provide personalized medical advice and write lab / medication prescriptions only for California residents, but they can provide helpful guidance around relevant care options for non-California residents. Our other virtual care services are available nationally.