Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations may increase care engagement and quality among pregnant and postpartum patients

Medical Xpress September 3, 2024
Boston University

A new study has found that Medicaid ACOs in Massachusetts were associated with increases in prenatal and postpartum office visits, postpartum depression screenings, and timely postpartum care.

Despite recent declines in nationwide maternal mortality, the United States continues to experience a significant maternal health crisis, in part shaped by inequitable access to quality health care for too many pregnant and postpartum people, particularly those who are covered by Medicaid.

Medicaid accountable care organizations (ACOs) have the ability to address this inequity in care by improving both coordination and quality of care for pregnant patients during and after their pregnancy, according to a new study led by Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH).