Medicaid, a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to millions of Americans, including pregnant people, plays an important role in maternal health. The program gives pregnant people access to prenatal, delivery and postpartum care.
However, coverage does vary depending on where you live, which makes the system pretty complicated to navigate. Keep reading to understand more about what Medicaid covers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Medicaid in Massachusetts:
Massachusetts has one of the most comprehensive medicaid coverage plans out of any state in the country. Called MassHealth, this insurance typically covers the majority of what a pregnant person would need. Note, it’s always best to talk to your healthcare provider or call MassHealth to find out exactly what you have access to as there may be limitations depending on your coverage.
That being said, below is a list of some of the services MassHealth does cover for pregnant people and medicaid childbirth:
- Prenatal Care: This includes regular check-ups with your OBGYNs, ultrasounds, lab tests, screenings and prenatal vitamins
- Labor & Delivery: This includes your hospital stay, services provided by your medical care team (doctors & midwives) and anesthesia for those who need or want it.
- Postpartum Care: For up to 12 months after becoming a new parent, medicaid insurance holders have access to postpartum checkups, breastfeeding support and supplies needed for breastfeeding (like breast pumps and milk storage bags).
- Doula Services: MassHealth patients have access to doula services through insurance. A doula is a culturally competent community support person who helps guide you through the pregnancy and postpartum period. Medicaid has added doula services to their insurance policies as it helps with improved birth outcomes. You can check your MassHealth coverage here to see if this is a service you have access to.
- Dental Services: This includes dental services needed during your pregnancy and postpartum period such as checkups, cleanings, fillings, crowns and root canals.
- Mental Health Services: This includes mental health support, counseling, and substance use disorder treatment. Having access to this type of care is important for the improvement of maternal health as one in seven pregnant people and new parents experience some kind of anxiety or depression.
- Prescription Medications: This induces medications considered necessary during pregnancy and postpartum
- Transportation: This includes non-emergency transportation to medical appointments for those who need it
If you are pregnant, you may be eligible for MassHealth, regardless of your immigration status. That means, even if you didn’t have MassHealth before getting pregnant, you could get the insurance coverage now that you are pregnant. The first step is letting MassHealth know you are pregnant, which you can do here.
Medicaid in Rhode Island:
Like Massachusetts, Rhode Island has a Medicaid program that offers services for maternal health. Rhode Island’s Medicaid program is called RIte Care and is available for those who are pregnant as well as new mothers. The state is making it a priority to add additional maternal health services to its Medicaid program; putting into place programs that address racial disparities in maternal health outcomes and improving access to care.
Because specific coverage can change, it’s always important to check with Rhode Island Medicaid or your healthcare providers directly to see what you are eligible for.
That being said, here are several services usually covered by RIte Care:
- Prenatal Care: This includes prenatal doctors appointments, lab tests, ultrasounds and prenatal vitamins.
- Labor & Delivery: This includes your hospital stay and services provided by your medical care team, such as your doctors of midwives.
- Postpartum Care: Like Massachusetts, Rhode Island now provides postpartum care under its Medicaid program for up to 12 months after giving birth.
- Doula Services: As part of Rhode Island’s efforts to improve maternal healthcare and maternal health outcomes, Medicaid now covers doula services for RIte Care members. A doula is a culturally competent community support person who helps guide you through the pregnancy and postpartum period. Click here to let us check your insurance coverage for you and find out if you have access to this free offering.
- Breastfeeding Support: Breastfeeding support is also covered by Medicaid programs, meaning you have coverage for breast pumps and lactation consultants.
- Mental Health Services: This includes screenings for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, access to mental health providers and counseling services for pregnant and postpartum parents.
- Substance Use Disorder Treatment & Tobacco Cessation Programs: For those pregnant individuals who struggle with substance abuse, Rhode Island has dedicated programs to help you during your pregnancy that are covered by insurance. The state also covers counseling and medication for pregnant patients who smoke.
- Transportation: RIte Care covers non-emergency transportation to appointments.
As always, specific coverage and programs can change, so it’s advisable for individuals to check with Rhode Island Medicaid directly or speak with a healthcare provider for the most current information about available services and coverage details.
You can learn more about how to apply for RIte Care, here.
While there may be other services you are eligible for under Medicaid, this is a starting point so you can get an idea of what you have access to with your insurance. It can feel complicated to search from scratch what your Medicaid program will cover, so this list gives you something to start with and you can ask your doctors about at your first appointment. And remember, at Flourish Care, we want to make the process of getting additional maternal support easier. Once again, doula care is covered for medicaid childbirths in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Click here to learn more about free pregnancy wellness services you may be eligible for through MassHealth or RIte Care.