Maternal Health Outcomes in Medicaid

This technical report discusses the Obstetric Quality Incentive Program (OBQIP) initiated by Elevance Health to enhance maternal health outcomes for Medicaid members. The report outlines how Medicaid finances a significant portion of births in the U.S. and the role of managed care organizations in improving access to prenatal and postpartum care. It details the value-based care (VBC) model, which incentivizes care providers based on performance measures. The report presents evidence that supported VBC can lead to improved delivery outcomes, including increased timely prenatal visits and reduced cesarean rates. It also examines the correlation between incentive levels and birth costs, indicating that higher incentives can lead to lower delivery expenses. The report concludes that adopting higher incentive payments may enhance care quality and reduce costs, suggesting that Medicaid programs could leverage these findings to design effective VBC incentives. The document emphasizes the importance of OB Practice Consultants in supporting care providers and improving maternal health initiatives.