Tag: pregnancy

MHA Keystone Center and MVC Release Statewide Childbirth Outcomes Report

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The MHA Keystone Center and the Michigan Value Collaborative (MVC) developed and released a statewide report Feb. 2 on birth outcomes following recently released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in an effort to support maternal health quality improvement initiatives. CDC data shows the maternal mortality rate in the United Sates was 23.8 per 100,000 live births in 2020 and four in five pregnancy-related deaths were preventable between 2017 and 2019.

The Michigan report details information on episode payments, mode of delivery, patient characteristics and rates of hemorrhage, hypertension and severe maternal morbidity for 90-day claims-based episodes of care for vaginal and cesarean delivery at MVC participating birthing hospitals from January 2019 to December 2021. It found 7.5% of patients had a diagnosis of hemorrhage, 4.2% had a diagnosis of hypertension and 1.8% had a diagnosis of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) during their index birth hospitalization. A notable finding was the difference in rates of these complications by race. Patients who were identified as Asian or Pacific Islander had higher rates of hemorrhage than other race categories, while patients who were identified as Black had higher rates of hypertension and SMM than the overall population.

Through support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, this report helps to better understand disparities in care while guiding the MHA Keystone Center’s efforts to increase equitable care and decrease preventable several maternal morbidity and mortality.

Members with questions about the report may reach out to the MHA Keystone Center.

State Extension of Medicaid/CHIP Coverage for 12 Months Postpartum Approved

Member News

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently approved an extension of Michigan Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage for 12 months after pregnancy, up from 60 days, effective April 1, 2022. This coverage extension is expected to apply to approximately 16,000 pregnant and postpartum women in Michigan and is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to address the national crisis in pregnancy-related mortality, morbidity and disparities in maternal health outcomes by continuing postpartum care. The MHA has advocated for this type of coverage for several years and appreciates members’ engagement on this issue.

This coverage is critical to maternal health, as a frequent complication of pregnancy is postpartum depression. On average, postpartum depression is diagnosed six months after the birth of a child. Ending coverage after 60 days increases the risk that the depression goes undetected and is not treated.

The CMS’s approval of the Michigan state plan amendment is available online, as is the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services final policy implementing this coverage extension. Members with questions should contact Vickie Kunz at the MHA.