HHS, CMS Approve Extended Medicaid Postpartum Coverage in 3 States

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 34,000 people annually.

Federal law requires states to provide Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for 60 days postpartum, but the American Rescue Plan (ARP) has given states the authority to expand postpartum coverage to a full year.

With the recently approved extension, 2,000 people in Hawaii, 11,000 people in Maryland, and 21,000 people in Ohio will be eligible for Medicaid or Title XXI-funded Medicaid expansion CHIP coverage for one year after pregnancy.

A total of 318,000 individuals annually in 21 states and Washington DC are now eligible for Medicaid postpartum coverage. As many as 720,000 Americans could gain eligibility if all states chose to expand coverage.

“The Biden-Harris Administration has made strengthening maternal health a top priority – and extending postpartum coverage not only improves health outcomes, but saves lives,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the press release. “We applaud Hawaii, Maryland, and Ohio for joining our efforts to support healthy parents and babies and urge all other states to work with us in expanding access to this critical care.”

Hawaii, Maryland, and Ohio are the latest states to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage. Nineteen states have received approval to expand coverage under the ARP state plan option or section 1115 demonstration authority.

Illinois was the first state to expand its Medicaid coverage timeframe for postpartum care. Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Washington DC also recently received approval to extend coverage to a full year.   

“Hawaii, Maryland, and Ohio now join an ever-growing cadre of state partners supporting the promise that comes with healthcare coverage in the critical first year after pregnancy,” CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure stated in the press release.

“The American Rescue Plan forms the bedrock for this opportunity, and gives states the foundation to support the health and well-being of postpartum women and families. Now, as part of CMS’ Maternity Care Action Plan, we’re putting even more gears into motion to make improved maternal health a reality for communities across the country.”

CMS released its Maternity Care Action Plan in July 2022, aiming to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities for people during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

The Action Plan also supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. This initiative aims to combat maternal mortality and morbidity by extending Medicaid and CHIP postpartum coverage.

Medicaid provides coverage for 42 percent of births in the country. More extensive Medicaid coverage during the postpartum period has been shown to prevent maternal uninsurance and improve care by reducing cost barriers.