Our work shaping and reporting on national mental health policy is made possible through a capacity grant from the Perigee Fund.

On January 6, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) announced the states that were selected to participate in the 10-year payment and care-delivery “Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model that will support 15 state Medicaid agencies.

What is the TMaH Model?

TMaH was developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as its latest program to reduce costs and improve quality for Medicaid beneficiaries and pregnant women covered through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

The program aims to enhance maternal care delivery, expand access to maternal health care and address disparities in rural and racial outcomes.  The program will support 15 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 CMS notice states. 

The initiative focuses on three main pillars: 

1. Access to Care: TMaH will help states expand access to midwives, doulas, and perinatal community health workers (CHWs), reducing c-sections, labor time, pain medication use, and postpartum mental health issues. Care will be personalized, culturally sensitive, and trust-based, empowering mothers.

2. Quality and Safety: States will implement “patient safety bundles” to improve maternal and infant outcomes and address conditions like hypertension and substance use. They will also work toward CMS’s “Birthing-Friendly” designation.

3. Whole-Person Care: Care will be tailored to individual needs with birth plans, screenings, and support for social, mental health, and physical health. Remote monitoring and CHW connections will reduce barriers and enhance care.

The following states have been selected to participate:

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • District of Columbia
  • Illinois
  • Kansas*
  • Louisiana*
  • Maine*
  • Minnesota*
  • Mississippi
  • New Jersey
  • Oklahoma*
  • South Carolina
  • West Virginia*
  • Wisconsin

The Policy Center is hopeful about the new model and will provide our insights on maternity care and postpartum care payment reform, as well as maternal mental health protocols. 

*We are also thrilled that six of the state Medicaid agencies selected are participating in our Policy Fellows program: Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Oklahoma and West Virginia, and will also have the direct opportunity to provide two-way insights as they progress through the Model program.

Learn from our Oklahoma Fellows, how the Policy Fellows program is shaping their work, including their plan to prioritize provider access given many OK counties are far from meeting the need.

Stay tuned for more information by signing up for our enews.