The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved two Georgia State Plan Amendments, extending postpartum medical services from six months to 12 months for low-income pregnant individuals enrolled in Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids®, respectively. The effective date was Nov. 1, 2022.
The approvals are a significant win for new mothers, who will maintain access to critical healthcare services for a full year after childbirth. “Georgia is focused on improving maternal health outcomes, and I am pleased that CMS approved our extension of Medicaid postpartum coverage for a full year,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “I was happy to sign this legislation and include the required funding in my FY23 budget. Thanks to Chairman Dean Burke and the General Assembly for supporting this effort.”
“These State Plan Amendment approvals are a positive step in the right direction in our ongoing efforts to address and combat maternal mortality in Georgia,” continued DCH Commissioner Caylee Noggle. “We look forward to implementing and operationalizing this benefit for our members.”
In 2021, Georgia sought approval of its “Georgia Postpartum Extension” section 1115 demonstration waiver to extend Medicaid benefits from 60 days to six months for postpartum women with incomes up to 220 percent of the federal poverty level.
With the approval of that waiver in 2021, Georgia became just one of three states to lengthen coverage of Medicaid benefits to postpartum women. By now extending coverage to 12 months, Georgia is further demonstrating its commitment to improving the health of mothers, as well as reducing the rate of maternal mortality and morbidity.
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