Department of Human Services (DHS) Acting Secretary Meg Snead today announced that Pennsylvania received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to extend its postpartum coverage period for mothers and birthing people eligible for Medicaid because of their pregnancy. 

“When DHS was given the opportunity through the American Rescue Plan Act to extend postpartum coverage for people who are pregnant, it was an easy decision. Moms and birthing parents deserve the best start for their families, and we can make a significant impact on their health and well-being by making sure they maintain health coverage up to one year after giving birth,” said Acting Secretary Snead. “Federal approval was the last step in this lifesaving investment in postpartum care here in the commonwealth.”   

Last year, Pennsylvania announced its plan to extend the Medicaid postpartum coverage period for people who are eligible for the program because of their pregnancy to one year following the birth of a baby. Previously, coverage for Medicaid – or Medical Assistance (MA) in Pennsylvania – for people eligible due to their pregnancy ended 60 days after giving birth. Under the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), no MA beneficiaries in Pennsylvania are being disenrolled due to changes in their eligibility. This has allowed those receiving MA to have ongoing health coverage during the pandemic. 

Once the postpartum extension became officially available April 1, Pennsylvania began working to update systems for continuity of coverage, including submitting the necessary state plan amendment for approval to the federal government. With CMS’ approval of Pennsylvania’s state plan amendment extending postpartum care, when the PHE ends, people who are eligible for MA because of their pregnancy will continue to receive coverage for one year after their pregnancy ends. 

Maternal mortality rates have continued to rise in the United States and in Pennsylvania, and DHS hopes that programs like the Medicaid postpartum extension will reverse those trends. Extending postpartum coverage for those covered through MA will provide continuity in health care by allowing birthing parents to maintain relationships with and access to care providers undisrupted through a critical period in their lives and their babies’ lives. 

Medicaid covers four in 10 births nationally and about three in 10 in the commonwealth. MA was the primary payer in Pennsylvania in about 53 percent of pregnancy-associated deaths and nearly 60 percent of all pregnancy-associated deaths came between six weeks and one year after giving birth, largely outside of the previous 60-day limitation on coverage. By extending the length of postpartum coverage, Pennsylvania is seeking to improve the quality and outcomes of care and potentially save lives. 

Since taking office, the Wolf Administration has prioritized expanding access to health care and supportive services for parents through pregnancy and the postpartum period. This gives children a strong, healthy start that can lead to continued health, well-being, and positive outcomes throughout their lives. 

Beyond MA, DHS administers numerous assistance programs here to help Pennsylvanians stay healthy and cover essential needs. To learn more and apply for MA, food assistance, home heating and housing assistance, financial aid for child care, and other assistance programs in Pennsylvania, visit www.dhs.pa.gov/compass. 

Another resource available is provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which provides food assistance and nutrition education for lower income pregnant and postpartum parents with infants and children up to age five. The WIC program helps parents and families purchase more nutrient-dense foods essential for good health for both parents and children. Applications for WIC can be submitted online or via phone by calling 1-800-WIC-WINS. 

More information on the postpartum Medicaid extension, and DHS’ maternal-child health programs available across Pennsylvania, is available online here.