Great Lakes Wire

A 12-month postpartum period was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure the health and well-being of moms and babies across Michigan, according to a press release from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s (D-Mich.) office.

The announcement in early May coincided with the beginning of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, and the expansion is a major component of Whitmer’s Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies initiative.

“As a mom of two, I know firsthand how vital it is for every mom to have access to high-quality, affordable health care to care for herself and her new baby,” Whitmer said in the press release. “By extending these critical, 12-month postpartum benefits, we can improve long-term outcomes for moms and babies and close health disparities. We will continue working together to ensure every family can thrive with access to behavioral health services, screenings, and treatments to lead healthy and successful lives.”

The existing rules allowed Medicaid enrollees to receive coverage through the end of the month in which their 60-day postpartum period ends. The ability to extend Medicaid coverage for a full year provides access to critical health and dental services during the first year after pregnancy, which “can help to address persistent health disparities,” the press release noted.

“Being able to ensure continuity of care for Michigan moms and babies is critical to reducing preventable deaths and will lead to better long-term health outcomes for new parents and newborns,” Elizabeth Hertel, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said in the press release. “Extending Medicaid postpartum coverage will assist the state in its continued efforts to improve access to care for all Michigan families and equitable health outcomes.”

The nearly $20 million budgeted for the coverage is targeted to benefit approximately 35,000 pregnant and postpartum people in Michigan annually.

“I have long supported legislation to make this extension of postpartum care permanent, and I am so grateful to have an ally in this fight in Gov. Whitmer,” Sen. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) said in the press release. “New moms and their health care providers agree that current standards of postpartum care are antiquated, especially in communities where health disparities exist. This is a huge step towards ensuring every new mom gets the care and support she needs, and we know healthy moms have healthy babies, laying the foundation for a healthy life."

This extension provides access to critical behavioral health services that can reduce pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity, plus improve continuity of care for chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiac conditions, substance use disorder, and depression, according to the press release.

Extending postpartum eligibility also increases opportunities for recipients to complete postpartum depression screening and receive referrals to services and support for necessary treatment.