HCSC aims to improve maternal health with new program

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Health Care Service Corporation is launching a new program tasked with improving maternal and infant healthcare by partnering with community organizations.

The program – which HCSC called an "enhanced initiative" – includes development of a unique service model for members and adds additional community support services. The program aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by increasing access to care, reducing care gaps, and educating and engaging residents on a community level.

It comes as rates of maternal and infant deaths remain high, and amidst growing concern around access to care for new moms, including behavioral health.

HCSC Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Monica Berner said the company's long-term maternal support program has helped members via pregnancy planning, childbirth and other services.

"Now we are building on that foundation, adding additional resources and avenues to engage pregnant and newly delivered members, as well as increasing our reach into the community-at-large," she said. "We're collaborating with trusted community organizations and partners, leveraging their knowledge, experience and talents on a local level. We seek to build healthier communities by using our resources to respond to societal needs."

WHAT'S THE IMPACT

HCSC is the largest customer-owned health insurer in the U.S. and operates health plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

The expanded maternal support program, which is first rolling out in Texas, is part of a larger organization effort to improve maternal and infant health. As part of this push, HCSC has expanded the reach of Centering Pregnancy's individual patient care and group support model, which includes individual health assessments with a clinician, followed by facilitated discussion to provide education and promote a community of social support among mothers through the pre- and post-partum stages.

The organization also created an app to help support parents of babies on the neonatal intensive care unit and funded the distribution of hypertension kits to support expectant mothers at risk for this condition. The goal is to avoid preeclampsia, preterm births or the need for cesarean birth.

"It's heartbreaking that so many deaths of pregnant women and infants could have been prevented – and we're committed to helping more mothers and children not only survive but thrive," said Berner.

THE LARGER TREND

Nearly a year ago, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services invested about $20 million to reduce disparities in maternal and birth outcomes, with the funding meant to expand and diversify the workforce caring for pregnant and postpartum individuals, increase access to obstetrics care in rural communities and support states in tackling inequities in maternal and infant health.

A Health Affairs study published in February found that understanding the disparities faced by various racial and ethnic groups is key to addressing preterm births and low birth rates, which should spur action from payers, providers and lawmakers.

The link between race and maternal health has received increased attention in recent months. In September 2022, for example, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association released data showing evidence that women of color are at higher risk of pregnancy-related complications, regardless of having commercial health insurance or Medicaid.

Instead, the numbers indicate U.S. maternal health disparities are likely the result of broader health system and societal challenges, including underlying chronic conditions, racial inequities and likely biases within the healthcare system itself.
 

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com