CMS has selected 15 states to participate in the agency's new Transforming Maternal Health Model, designed to focus on improving maternal health care delivery, support and outcomes for Medicaid and CHIP enrollees.
Here are five notes on the new model, according to CMS:
- The 15 states selected to participate are: Alabama, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
- The model, which launched Jan. 1, will run for 10 years. The first three years of the model are designated as a pre-implementation period, in which states receive targeted assistance and achieve required milestones. The remaining seven years will be the implementation period, in which states execute the model.
- The Transforming Maternal Health Model was developed in response to the "disproportionately high rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes," in the U.S., despite spending more per capita on maternal healthcare than any other nation, CMS said.
CMS recently issued new conditions of participation standards for hospitals that offer obstetrical services as part of its 2025 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System rule. The rule aims to hold all Medicare- and Medicaid-participating hospitals offering obstetric services to a consistent standard of high-quality maternity care. - There are three pillars to the model, which helps each state create a whole-person approach to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care, reduces care access disparities, and improves patient outcomes.
- The first pillar addresses access to care, infrastructure and workforce capacity. CMS said it will assist states in breaking down barriers that limit patient access to midwives, doulas and perinatal community health workers.
Under the model, state Medicaid agencies will "promote care that is person-specific, culturally sensitive and rooted in active listening and development of trust, with a goal of making mothers more empowered to manage their birth experience," CMS said.
The second pillar addresses quality improvement and safety. Participating state agencies are tasked with developing and implementing quality initiatives and protocols to make childbirth safer. They will also help hospitals and health systems in their state to achieve CMS' "Birthing-Friendly" designation.
The third pillar addresses whole-person care delivery. During their initial prenatal visit, patients are to be screened to determine what resources and supports they may need during their pregnancy. Participating agencies then try to connect individuals with community organizations and work with the patient to develop personalized care and birth plans to address their individual needs.
Read more about CMS' Transforming Maternal Health Model here.