Delaware News

Delaware Extends Postpartum Medicaid Coverage to 12 months

Delaware Health and Social Services | Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance | News | Date Posted: Friday, June 16, 2023



NEW CASTLE (June 16, 2023) – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance announces that it has extended Medicaid postpartum health care coverage from 60 days to 12 months after the end of a pregnancy.

This expansion is made possible through a State Plan Amendment approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in May. The expansion is retroactively effective as of July 2022. Delaware is one of 35 states to extend Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage to 12 months following the end of pregnancy.

Previously, Medicaid enrollees who were pregnant received coverage through the end of the month in which their 60-day postpartum period ends. A provision in the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 gave states the option to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage to 12 months. This provision was made permanent by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was signed into law by President Biden in December 2022.

Medicaid recipients will now be eligible to receive 12 months of ongoing postpartum health care coverage beginning on the date their pregnancy ends, regardless of the reason, through the last day of the month 12-months after the last date of the pregnancy. These individuals will remain eligible for ongoing postpartum health care coverage even if certain changes occur that may affect eligibility — such as a change in income or household/family unit.

“It is critical that families receive the necessary supports before, during and after pregnancy,” said DHSS Cabinet Secretary Molly Magarik. “By extending postpartum coverage to a full year, we can help ensure that Delaware mothers and babies have access to high-quality health care at a time when they may need it the most. This is an important step to reduce health disparities, improve long-term outcomes and build the foundation for a healthy life.”

In 2020, Medicaid covered 41% of births in Delaware, according to data from the Division of Public Health’s Office of Vital Statistics. Medicaid covers a higher percentage of births from mothers of younger ages – 74% from those 20-years-old or younger and 51% from those 30-years-old or younger.

The Medicaid program finances about 4 in 10 births in the United States and more than half of all children in the country, according to data from CMS. An estimated 509,000 Americans across 35 states and the District of Columbia now have access to extended postpartum coverage.

For more information on Medicaid in Delaware visit https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dss/medicaid.html. DHSS also reminds Medicaid recipients that annual eligibility renewals restarted April 1, 2023, and that they should make sure that Delaware Medicaid has their most up-to-date contact information. Members should also watch their mail for letters from Delaware Health and Social Services, fill out their renewal form if they receive one and return it immediately. For more information, visit de.gov/medicaidrenewals or call 1-866-843-7212.

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Delaware Extends Postpartum Medicaid Coverage to 12 months

Delaware Health and Social Services | Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance | News | Date Posted: Friday, June 16, 2023



NEW CASTLE (June 16, 2023) – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance announces that it has extended Medicaid postpartum health care coverage from 60 days to 12 months after the end of a pregnancy.

This expansion is made possible through a State Plan Amendment approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in May. The expansion is retroactively effective as of July 2022. Delaware is one of 35 states to extend Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage to 12 months following the end of pregnancy.

Previously, Medicaid enrollees who were pregnant received coverage through the end of the month in which their 60-day postpartum period ends. A provision in the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 gave states the option to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage to 12 months. This provision was made permanent by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was signed into law by President Biden in December 2022.

Medicaid recipients will now be eligible to receive 12 months of ongoing postpartum health care coverage beginning on the date their pregnancy ends, regardless of the reason, through the last day of the month 12-months after the last date of the pregnancy. These individuals will remain eligible for ongoing postpartum health care coverage even if certain changes occur that may affect eligibility — such as a change in income or household/family unit.

“It is critical that families receive the necessary supports before, during and after pregnancy,” said DHSS Cabinet Secretary Molly Magarik. “By extending postpartum coverage to a full year, we can help ensure that Delaware mothers and babies have access to high-quality health care at a time when they may need it the most. This is an important step to reduce health disparities, improve long-term outcomes and build the foundation for a healthy life.”

In 2020, Medicaid covered 41% of births in Delaware, according to data from the Division of Public Health’s Office of Vital Statistics. Medicaid covers a higher percentage of births from mothers of younger ages – 74% from those 20-years-old or younger and 51% from those 30-years-old or younger.

The Medicaid program finances about 4 in 10 births in the United States and more than half of all children in the country, according to data from CMS. An estimated 509,000 Americans across 35 states and the District of Columbia now have access to extended postpartum coverage.

For more information on Medicaid in Delaware visit https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dss/medicaid.html. DHSS also reminds Medicaid recipients that annual eligibility renewals restarted April 1, 2023, and that they should make sure that Delaware Medicaid has their most up-to-date contact information. Members should also watch their mail for letters from Delaware Health and Social Services, fill out their renewal form if they receive one and return it immediately. For more information, visit de.gov/medicaidrenewals or call 1-866-843-7212.

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , , ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.