Later Medicaid Health Plan Enrollment Suggests Higher Infant Birth Costs
Data from Elevance Health’s affiliated Medicaid plans show that infant birth costs were significantly higher when women enrolled in a Medicaid plan later in pregnancy compared to earlier in pregnancy. Infants needing care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) contributed to these higher costs.
Infants covered by Medicaid are at greater risk for poor birth outcomes which could also impose a high cost burden on the healthcare system, including the need for NICU care. Healthcare coverage facilitates access to prenatal care, which is essential to healthy birth outcomes. Timely enrollment into a Medicaid plan early in pregnancy could help individuals obtain access to services while pregnant, subsequently impacting birth outcomes and costs.
This analysis examines the relationship between the timing of when women enroll in a Medicaid plan and birth costs among their infants. The brief also suggests strategies to enroll women into a Medicaid plan earlier in their pregnancy.
Related Public Policy Research
Doula Access Through Medicaid Managed Care Improves Maternal Health
Doulas serve as an effective strategy to address disparities in maternal health. This evaluation provides evidence that women with doula care experience reduced risk of maternal morbidity, compared to women without doula care.
Maternal health disparities are worsening in the U.S., and care provider-focused initiatives are one strategy to improve maternal health outcomes, especially within Medicaid where women are at greater risk for morbidity and mortality.
Addressing Prenatal and Postpartum Coverage Gaps in Medicaid
Medicaid is a critical source of insurance coverage for pregnant women. However, there are still gaps in coverage, due to delays in when pregnant women access Medicaid managed care benefits and how long after delivery they retain coverage.
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