Partnering with Providers to Improve Maternal Health

This technical report outlines the critical role of Medicaid in maternal health in the United States, where it finances over 40 percent of births. The report details the alarming increase in maternal mortality rates, particularly among Black and Hispanic women, and emphasizes the need for strategies to improve maternal health outcomes. It describes Elevance Health's initiatives, including the Obstetrics Practice Consultant (OBPC) Program and the Obstetric Quality Incentive Program (OBQIP), aimed at enhancing provider communication and quality of care. The OBPC program focuses on enabling obstetric providers to deliver timely interventions, while the OBQIP incentivizes providers to improve care quality and access during pregnancy and postpartum. The report also discusses the challenges faced in improving maternal health, such as inadequate data infrastructure and implicit bias among providers. Findings from evaluations of these initiatives indicate significant improvements in care delivery and maternal health outcomes among Medicaid members, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing maternal health disparities.