The influence of medical insurance on obstetrical care

Maternal and obstetrical outcomes vary widely within the United States. The impact of insurance type on health care disparities and its influence on obstetrical care and maternal outcome is not clear. We report the impact of health care insurance on obstetrical and maternal outcomes in a tertiary care health care system. Our maternal quality care database (n = 4199) was queried comparing commercial insurance to government sponsored insurance from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018. Parturients with commercial insurance were older, weighed more, presented with less gravidity and parity, had more advanced gestation, and had a higher neonatal 5-minute Apgar score than government insured parturients. Additionally, government insured parturients were less likely to be admitted for induction with oxytocin, receive labor epidural analgesia, and have a primary caesarean delivery. Similarly, government insured parturients were more likely to be of African American descent, be a current known smoker, have a positive urine drug screen, and receive a general anesthetic. We conclude obstetrical and maternal health care disparities exist based on medical insurance type.