The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on May 25, 2022, approved proposals in four states to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to one year after birth.
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 included a state plan amendment option to expand Medicaid postpartum coverage to one year after birth, for a five-year duration. CMS approved state plan amendments in California, Kentucky, and Oregon, which join Louisiana, Michigan, South Carolina, and Tennessee in extending coverage through this method.
In addition to the ARPA state plan option, states also can expand Medicaid coverage through Section 1115 waivers. CMS recently approved a Section 1115 waiver in Florida, which joins Illinois, New Jersey, and Virginia in expanding postpartum coverage through Medicaid waivers.
CMS is working with numerous other states that proposed to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage.
Contact Director of Policy Rob Nelb, MPH, at rnelb@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.