Medicaid Continuous Coverage Requirement and Postpartum Hospitalization.

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Public Health
• Health Policy

Background:

• The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) implemented a continuous coverage requirement (CCR) for Medicaid in 2020.
• This policy extended postpartum Medicaid eligibility beyond the standard 60-day period.
• Understanding the impact of this extended coverage on maternal health outcomes is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between the Medicaid CCR and postpartum hospitalization rates among mothers delivering with Medicaid.
• To determine if extended Medicaid eligibility influenced maternal hospitalization trends.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study analyzed data from 20 nonfederal acute care hospitals between 2018 and 2021.
• Included mothers aged 18-55 with Medicaid-paid deliveries, followed for 180 days postpartum.
• Compared hospitalization rates in states with high vs. low pre-period uninsured rates (exposure).

Main Results:

• The study included over 2 million Medicaid-paid deliveries.
• Hospitalization rates at 61-180 days postpartum decreased by 10.9% in high-exposure states compared to low-exposure states.
• No significant change in hospitalization rates was observed from 1-60 days postpartum.

Conclusions:

• Extended Medicaid coverage through the CCR was associated with reduced postpartum hospitalizations between 61 and 180 days.
• This suggests that prolonged Medicaid eligibility can improve postpartum health for low-income mothers.
• The findings highlight the potential of continuous Medicaid coverage to mitigate adverse maternal health events.