Kansas Governor announces expansion of medicaid coverage to Kansas mothers postpartum – Newstalk KZRG

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly at the moment introduced that her plan to supply Kansas moms with well being care protection beneath Kansas Medicaid (KanCare) as much as 12 months post-delivery was authorized by the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Companies (CMS).

The postpartum well being care extension from two months to a 12 months was authorized retroactive to April 1, 2022, and extends protection for postpartum beneficiaries of Kansas Medicaid and the Youngsters’s Well being Insurance coverage Program (CHIP). There are greater than 500,000 Kansans, or 1 in 5 residents, who’re enrolled in Kansas Medicaid or CHIP.

“Our efforts to broaden well being care protection have paid off, benefiting mothers and giving infants a stronger begin to life,” stated Governor Kelly. “This bipartisan work will cut back maternal mortality, enhance baby growth, and save Kansans cash on very important well being care.”

Medicaid gives complete protection for brand spanking new moms, together with routine check-ups to assist with restoration from childbirth, behavioral well being care, household planning, breastfeeding help, and referrals to different providers. KanCare moms may even be capable to entry choose dental providers and screenings for postpartum despair.

“The primary 12 months after giving beginning is an important interval for each mother and child. This extension not solely improves maternal well being choices to those that could not have beforehand benefited, but additionally supplies uninterrupted well being care protection stability,” stated Janet Stanek, Secretary of Kansas Division of Well being and Surroundings. “This enchancment helps shut gaps between well being outcomes by inserting all communities on a greater course towards well being and well-being.”

“As a mom, I understand how necessary the primary 12 months is and this enhanced interval of look after Kansas moms is important for his or her psychological well being, their child’s well being and their households,” State Consultant Brenda Landwehr stated. “I’m grateful to our state for taking this monumental step to enhance maternal well being throughout the state.”

Earlier than the postpartum extension, most Medicaid moms would lose eligibility for Medicaid advantages round two months postpartum, leaving many new moms with out entry to medical and behavioral well being care as they recovered from childbirth.

“This coverage change, authorized at the moment by the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Companies, is welcome information and is a win for all Kansans,” David Jordan, President and CEO of the United Methodist Well being Ministry Fund, stated. “It can positively affect hundreds of Kansas moms every year—decreasing maternal mortality, bettering well being outcomes, and decreasing disparities.”