Maternal health is a significant concern in Mississippi, a state that is actively working to address one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the county (22.1 cases per 100,000 live births).1 UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Mississippi is committed to addressing this challenge by supporting the Mississippi Outcomes for Maternal Safety (MOMS) initiative. This unique program is a crucial step toward reducing severe maternal morbidity (SMM) rates in the state through structured postpartum care and value-based incentives.
Improving maternal health through the MOMS initiative
The Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM) launched the MOMS initiative as a value-based payment (VBP) program aimed at improving maternal health outcomes. By incentivizing timely postpartum care, the program encourages hospitals and providers to implement standardized risk-based assessments, discharge protocols and structured follow-up care.
Integral to the initiative is the MOMS assessment, which evaluates a patient’s real-time condition and factors linked to SMM risk. This assessment generates a numerical score that determines the urgency of the patient’s initial postpartum follow-up visit. By identifying high-risk cases early, providers can ensure timely and appropriate interventions, reducing the likelihood of potentially severe complications.
To encourage hospital participation, the MOMS initiative offers a $250 incentive per managed care patient for completing the assessment and sharing the risk score before discharge. Additionally, outpatient providers receive an incentive for conducting the postpartum visit within the timeframe dictated by the MOMS assessment risk score. These incentives collectively reinforce the importance of proactive postpartum care and early intervention strategies.
Expanding support through transportation and service coordination
Recognizing that access to care extends beyond clinical settings, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Mississippi has strengthened the impact of the MOMS initiative through strategic collaborations. The health plan works closely with Medical Transportation Management (MTM), its Non-Emergent Transportation vendor, to ensure reliable transportation for postpartum visits. By working closely with MTM’s local leadership team, UnitedHealthcare has developed a streamlined communication strategy that allows providers and case managers to directly coordinate transportation services for mothers enrolled in the program. This system has successfully facilitated last-minute and recurring trips, ensuring that postpartum patients can attend their follow-up appointments without logistical barriers.
Beyond transportation, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Mississippi plays an active role in post-discharge service coordination. The health plan reaches out to members after discharge to conduct clinical and social drivers of health assessments, assist with scheduling postpartum visits, coordinate transportation and connect mothers with additional resources as needed. By offering this comprehensive support, UnitedHealthcare helps improve maternal health outcomes and overall well-being.
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Mississippi’s support for the MOMS initiative reflects its ongoing commitment to improving maternal health outcomes in the state. By incentivizing timely postpartum care, enhancing access to transportation and providing coordinated support services, the health plan is making a meaningful impact on the well-being of parents and their families. Through continued collaboration with providers and community organizations, UnitedHealthcare remains dedicated to advancing maternal health and ensuring that every individual receives the care they need.
To learn more about our efforts to improve maternal health outcomes for all of our members, explore our “Enhancing maternal health access and outcomes” page.
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