Maine to extend Medicaid coverage for new mothers

Starting on Aug. 1, Maine will extend postpartum Medicaid health care coverage for new mothers, Gov. Janet Mills announced Thursday after getting the green light from the federal government.

As is already the case in 11 other states, coverage will be extended from 60 days to 12 months after a woman gives birth.

The move aims to improve maternal health and ensure that women do not lose access to postpartum care, which includes recovery from childbirth, follow-up on pregnancy complications, management of chronic health conditions, access to family planning, and help for mental health conditions.

“The need for pregnancy-related health care doesn’t end sixty days after a woman gives birth,” Mills said. “This move will ensure that women have access to postpartum care for a full year, which will improve their health and that of the children — setting them both up to succeed in the future. This is another example of how my Administration is committed to supporting women’s reproductive health in Maine.”

Jeanne Lambrew, Maine's Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, said the extension builds on the state's successful policy of providing one year of continuous coverage to children on MaineCare.

Because of the change, it is estimated that an additional 2,000 more women per year in Maine will have access to health care coverage for a full year after giving birth. In 2020, 39% of all births in Maine were covered by health care through MaineCare, Maine’s Medicaid program.

The American Rescue Plan provided states with the option to extend postpartum coverage from the federally required minimum of 60 days to 12 months via a State Plan Amendment.

To ensure that can happen in Maine, a new state law (L.D. 1781) sponsored by state Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, authorized the Mills administration to seek the coverage extension from the federal government.

“Improving access to high-quality postpartum care is one of the most important investments we can make in the health of our families,” U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine 1st District, said in a joint statement Thursday.

“Gov. Mills’ decision to expand Medicaid postpartum health care coverage to 12 months after birth will give thousands of mothers the support they deserve at a vulnerable time and make a huge difference in Maine’s rural and low-income communities," they added. "We’re glad the governor continues to put American Rescue Plan funds to good use and look forward to seeing how this expanded care will improve the health of Maine families.”