NEW CASTLE (June 3, 2024) – An extended program that provides 12 weeks of free diapers, wipes, and home-delivered meals to low-income mothers participating in the state’s Diamond State Health Plan Medicaid program is designed to give Delaware families the healthiest start possible by reducing maternal stress, food and diaper insecurity during the critical postpartum period.

Supported by a 1115 Waiver approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Delaware will extend a pilot program through the state’s Medicaid program to provide low-income postpartum mothers two home-delivered meals per day, or one medically appropriate shelf-stable food box, and covers up to 80 diapers and one pack of baby wipes per week during the first 12 weeks following birth of the baby.

Food-insecure mothers are more than twice as likely as their food-secure peers to report mental health problems, such as stress, depression, and anxiety, while caring for a newborn during the post-partum period. Food insecure mothers also experience decreased rates of breastfeeding, which can help protect babies against short- and long-term illnesses and disease, such as asthma, obesity, and diabetes.

Access to sufficient diapers also offers health benefits to the mother, as diaper need is associated with both maternal depression and stress. On average, newborn babies can require eight to 10 diapers a day, or around 300 a month. Ensuring adequate supply of diapers helps to prevent avoidable health care utilization and improves overall infant health, as frequent diaper changes are the mainstay of recommendations to prevent diaper rash and urinary tract infections.

“The First State is one of the first in the nation to make the first months less stressful––and healthier––for new mothers through nutrition and diapering support,” said Andrew Wilson, Director of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA). “Allowing mothers to focus on caring for their babies and themselves instead of worrying about how to pay for diapers and meals will greatly help reduce stress, depression and anxiety, so they can focus on the health of their babies and their own postpartum care.”

CMS waiver also supports evidence- and incentive-based treatment of stimulant use disorder

In addition to diapers and meals, Delaware’s May 17, 2024 approval from CMS, allowing the State to implement Contingency Management Services, also supports participation in evidence-based outpatient treatment programs for pregnant or postpartum mothers diagnosed with stimulant or opioid use disorders. Those 18 or older who are diagnosed with a stimulant use disorder will be eligible for a 24-week program; those diagnosed with an opioid use disorder who are 18 or older, pregnant, or up to 12 months postpartum diagnosed and who have a completed American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria assessment indicating that outpatient treatment is medically appropriate, will be eligible for a 64-week program.

The State will implement the contingency management benefit through DMMA-approved behavioral health providers. The program includes incentive payments for beneficiaries who test negative for identified stimulants on an established schedule.

“This five-year renewal through Delaware’s 1115 Waiver approval allows us to make permanent the delivery of two highly important programs that focus on the health of pregnant and postpartum mothers and their babies,” said Steven Costantino, Director of Health Care Reform for DHSS. “Nutritious meals, access to diapers and outpatient treatment for stimulant and opioid use disorders all work together to serve as a strong safety net to improve the health of Delaware families by supporting low-income postpartum members with disproportionately high rates of food insecurity and inequitable adverse maternal and birth outcomes.”

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