Many women in the U.S. face preventable risks during pregnancy and postpartum recovery. According to America’s Health Rankings’ recent Health of Women and Children Report, maternal mortality has increased by 34% between 2014-2018 and 2018-2022.1 Additionally, nearly one in four women do not begin prenatal care during the first trimester, a critical period for early detection of complications, and almost 40% of new mothers miss postpartum visits that safeguard long-term health.2,3
For women enrolled in Medicaid, these challenges are often intensified by barriers such as limited access to care, transportation and social stressors. To help change these outcomes, UnitedHealthcare Community & State created My Maternity Journey, a holistic approach that provides education, innovative tools and clinical teams that deliver specialized care management, supporting mothers from the moment they learn they’re pregnant through their baby’s first 12 months.
Meeting moms where they are, every step of the way
My Maternity Journey app helps members stay informed, connected and engaged throughout their pregnancy and postpartum with trusted guidance that fits in the palm of their hand. For moms, it’s a source of comfort, connection and confidence. It’s a powerful engagement tool that can help improve quality metrics with resources such as:
- Easy access to our trusted providers for early care
- Personalized health and appointment reminders
- Rewards for completing healthy activities
- Links to local and virtual resources
- Educational information from trusted organizations such as the March of Dimes
Reward incentives encourage early and continuous engagement, motivating members to attend prenatal appointments, complete postpartum visits and participate in educational resources. This proactive model helps mothers better understand what to expect during pregnancy, monitor their emotional and physical health and take preventive steps that lead to better outcomes.
Turning personalized care into healthier outcomes
For expectant and new mothers with more complex needs, My Maternity Journey provides specialized care management through Healthy First Steps Care Management that provides support for high-risk moms facing medical or social challenges during pregnancy and postpartum. It's a high-touch model intended to reduce costly complications, improve maternal health outcomes and help mothers and babies receive consistent, compassionate follow-up.
Building stronger communities, one mom at a time
Beyond medical care, My Maternity Journey recognizes that emotional support and social connection are important to maternal health. The My Maternity Journey Community is an online community that transforms connection and engagement into healthier, more confident moms. Through discussion boards and online support groups, mothers can share experiences, ask questions and learn from peers and experts. Led by trained facilitators, these groups focus on emotional wellness, breastfeeding, postpartum recovery and newborn care, reinforcing the message that no mother should navigate this journey alone.
Technology that listens, learns and leads to better care
Technology is most powerful when it makes care more human. The Virtual Nurse Assistant uses AI-powered conversations through phone calls and texts to identify clinical needs and connect moms to timely support, extending how care reaches our members. It's a tool designed to enable interventions for improved maternal outcomes.
Driving innovation in maternal health
My Maternity Journey represents how managed care is evolving to meet the complex needs of mothers and families. By integrating digital engagement, data-informed outreach and human connection, My Maternity Journey delivers a more accessible, effective and coordinated experience.
This connected ecosystem aligns with CMS’ Maternal Health Action Plan, promoting early care, strengthening postpartum follow-up and addressing impactful social challenges. Through these innovations, UnitedHealthcare Community & State is helping states achieve value-based outcomes, reduce preventable maternal deaths and close gaps in care.
Transforming the journey, together
UnitedHealthcare Community & State is helping reimagine how maternal care is delivered. By combining compassionate care and smart technology to close gaps, My Maternity Journey demonstrates the value of managed care in driving better health outcomes. Through working with states, providers and community organizations, UnitedHealthcare is creating stronger starts for moms, babies and the communities they call home.
To learn about our efforts to improve health for mothers across the U.S. read through our maternal health page.
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