As a Doula and Lactation Consultant in Private Practice, offering a sliding scale for my services comes from a desire to create multiple access points for the community I serve.
My support is not universally covered by our healthcare system in Canada, nor does everybody have insurance coverage. Therefore, the sliding scale embodies the idea that financial resources are not and should not be the only factor in whether or not somebody has access to support for their sacred transition to parenthood and feeding their baby.
Effective January 2024, I am glad to be able to offer sliding scale pricing for Lactation Support in-office (Bridgewater, NS) and Virtually.
Sometimes there are limited spaces available at the mid and low ranges of the sliding scale, depending on the service. Please be mindful that if you select a price at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford the higher end of the scale, you are limiting access to those who truly need the option of financial flexibility. Being honest with yourself and your financial situation when engaging with sliding scale practices grows strong and sustainable communities. It also respects the work, expertise, and knowledge of providers such as myself who have families to support and bills to pay. Additionally, when I am paid fairly, I am able to invest more time and resources to free and lower cost offerings to everyone in our community.
This system thrives on trust, and I trust your integrity in determining what you and your family can realistically afford.
The graphic above offers a visual tool to help understand how the scale works. Note that “Basic Needs” refers to food, housing, healthcare, and transportation. “Expendable Income” refers to things like being able to go to a coffee shop, spend money on leisure activities, or being able to buy new clothes, books, etc. each month.
The “Full” bottle on the left side represents the true or full cost of the service. The true or full cost is what you will find reflected throughout my website and booking software. Those who fall into this category may identify with the following statements:
I have enough physical and financial resources to comfortably meet my basic needs and pay my bills.
I may have insurance coverage or enough money to cover the cost of care.
I may have expendible income to access “extras” or things I want.
My family can afford for me to to take time off postpartum and focus on recovery and caring for my new baby.
I can access or purchase postpartum care and baby supplies as needed and desired.
The middle of the scale, or the middle bottle, represents families who may identify with the following statements: Suggested range 50%-100% of true cost of service.
I may stress about meeting my basic needs or paying bills but still regularly achieve them.
I may have a tight or precarious budget for expendable income..
I may be employed, self-employed or receieving inadequate maternity benefits.
I have no insurance coverage, or the cost of care would cause some financial stress.
Finally, the lower end of the scale (or the bottle on the right) represents families who may identify with the following statements: Suggested range 25%-50% of true cost of service.
I stress about meeting my basic needs and paying my bills, and may not always achieve them.
I have unstable housing, food security, or both.
I struggle to afford postpartum and baby care supplies
I have no or very limited expendable income.
I may identify as having few support people (or support people with very low capacity to contribute) in my family or community.
I have no insurance coverage, or the cost of care would strain my ability to buy food or pay bills..
Please note: currently, the sliding scale model is available for in-office Lactation appointments (at my office in Bridgewater, NS), and Virtual Lactation appointments.
If you would like to take advantage of this model, please send me an email at TaylorChinenere@gmail.com, and book your appointment below:
Leave a Reply