MN to Participate in CMS’ New Model for Improving Maternal Healthcare in Medicaid and CHIP

January 9, 2025

Minnesota is among a group of states and the District of Columbia selected to participate in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model, which is designed to improve maternal healthcare for people enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

The model, which launched on January 1 and will run for 10 years, will support participating state Medicaid agencies (SMAs) in the development of a whole-person approach to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care that addresses the physical, mental health, and social needs experienced during pregnancy. The goal of the model is to reduce disparities in access and treatment. The model aims to improve outcomes and experiences for mothers and their newborns, while also reducing overall program expenditures. 

Despite spending more per capita on maternal healthcare than any other nation, the U.S. has disproportionately high rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes as compared to other high-income nations. The TMaH Model provides SMAs with targeted support in the form of funding and technical assistance. The goal of this support is to improve maternal healthcare and birth outcomes, while reducing associated health disparities. This support also enables states to develop a value-based alternative payment model for maternity care services which will improve quality and health outcomes and promote long term sustainability of services. 

Other participants in the program include: Alabama, Arkansas, California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. 

For more information, click here.