Maternal Health

Continuous Medicaid eligibility during PHE improved postpartum coverage

March 13, 2024 - The continuous Medicaid eligibility requirement during the COVID-19 public health emergency was associated with increased postpartum Medicaid enrollment and reduced uninsurance, according to a study published in JAMA Health Forum. Health insurance can help ensure access to physical and mental healthcare after childbirth. Federal law requires all...

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How Do Payers Cover Prenatal, Postpartum Care for Pregnant People?

by Victoria Bailey

Prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum care help ensure healthier pregnancies and better birth outcomes for pregnant people. Access to this essential care comes easier with adequate health insurance. Pregnant people are almost guaranteed...

Mortality Rates Among Women and Children Are Rising, UHG Report Finds

by Victoria Bailey

Mortality rates among women and children grew between 2018 and 2021, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing preventive care and public health interventions, a report from the United Health...

New York Extends Medicaid Postpartum Coverage to 12 Months After Birth

by Victoria Bailey

New York has extended Medicaid postpartum coverage, marking the 35th state that will provide comprehensive coverage to individuals for 12 months after pregnancy, HHS and CMS announced. “New...

Midwives, Birth Centers Improve Maternal Health Outcomes in Medicaid

by Victoria Bailey

Midwives and birth centers have been associated with improved maternal health outcomes at lower costs to Medicaid, but payment policies and other challenges pose barriers to expanding access to these...

How to Increase Access to Prenatal Vaccines for Medicaid Beneficiaries

by Victoria Bailey

Solidifying access to prenatal vaccines can help minimize maternal health disparities for pregnant people enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). A white paper...

Anthem Blue Cross Grants $400K to Boost Maternal Health Outcomes

by Victoria Bailey

The Anthem Blue Cross Foundation has granted $400,000 to a nonprofit organization in Fresno County, California, to help improve maternal health outcomes and reduce pre-term births among women who have...

CareSource, Walmart Partner to Address Racial Health Disparities

by Victoria Bailey

CareSource has partnered with Walmart to address maternal and racial health disparities in underserved communities by leveraging the retail giant’s in-store community health workers. The payer,...

BCBST Report Reveals Racial Care Disparities Among TN Residents

by Victoria Bailey

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) has published its first health equity report, revealing the racial care disparities that Tennessee residents face in behavioral healthcare, maternal...

Medicaid Expansion Tied to Reduced Postpartum Hospitalizations

by Victoria Bailey

Medicaid expansion was associated with a reduction in postpartum hospitalizations during the first six months after delivery, according to a Health Affairs study. Federal policy requires Medicaid to...

Payer, Provider Value-Based Care Contract Targets Equity, Population Health

by Kelsey Waddill

Independence Blue Cross (Independence) has announced that it will renew its long-term value-based care contract with Jefferson Health. The provider will participate in Independence’s Total Value...

ACAP Health Plans Will Identify Birthing-Friendly Hospitals in Directories

by Victoria Bailey

Nine safety net health plans that are part of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) announced they would include the CMS birthing-friendly hospital designation in their provider...

37% of People Switched Health Insurance Plans During Perinatal Period

by Victoria Bailey

More than a third of individuals with continuous coverage switched health insurance plans during the 12 months before or after giving birth, a study published in JAMA Network Open found. Switching...

HHS: Over Half of States Have Extended Medicaid Postpartum Coverage

by Victoria Bailey

Following Georgia and Pennsylvania’s recent approvals to expand Medicaid postpartum coverage, beneficiaries in more than half of all states can now access maternal healthcare services for 12...

How One Payer Expanded the Boundaries of Maternal Healthcare Benefits

by Kelsey Waddill

Investing in maternal healthcare may seem like a natural decision on an individual level, given the influence that positive, healthy parenting can have on a person’s life and the many healthcare needs that parents face. In reality,...

Payers Leverage Technology to Boost Maternal Health Outcomes

by Sarai Rodriguez

Payers are implementing new programs that capitalize on telehealth and partnerships with technology companies to better engage pregnant members and improve maternal health outcomes. There has been an...

HHS, CMS Approve Extended Medicaid Postpartum Coverage in 3 States

by Victoria Bailey

HHS and CMS announced that Hawaii, Maryland, and Ohio have been approved to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage for 12 months after pregnancy, increasing maternal healthcare access for an additional...

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