This year, the Policy Center completed our fourth Government Agency Fellows program. The program supports state Medicaid, behavioral/mental health, and public health departments in closing gaps in maternal mental health. Our Government Agency Fellows graduated this week from the 12-month program and presented their action plans to staff, board members, and guests.

Government Agency Fellows program graduates included 26 Fellows from 12 states: AZ, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MA, MN, NV, OK, RI, and WV. We are impressed by their action plan development and look forward to seeing it implemented over the next year using the information, tools, and resources provided during their time with the Policy Center. Below are a couple examples of their plans.

Nevada 

The Nevada fellows both represented Nevada Medicaid, for which they initiated a clinical steering committee on maternal health services. Nevada Medicaid is already offering 12-month postpartum coverage, doula visits, community health worker services, and expanded dental services for pregnant individuals. The Fellows’ action plan is focused on assessment and quality measures for maternal mental health, such as screening and reimbursement for perinatal depression. They are working to develop quality management mechanisms as Nevada shifts to statewide managed care service delivery. These include reviewing an increase in birthing center rates and unbundling of maternity services, as well as home visiting models.

Oklahoma

Using information obtained from the maternal mental health scorecard, Oklahoma fellows represented Oklahoma Health Care Authority (the state agency that issues the state’s Medicaid) and plan to collaborate with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, pregnancy resource navigators, the Evolution Foundation, and other external partners in its Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) grant work. Their goal is to increase awareness of, and access to, maternal mental health services in primary care practices across Eastern Oklahoma.

Oklahoma recently transitioned to statewide managed care in April 2024 and will leverage this delivery system to increase maternal mental health screenings and referrals. Oklahoma Medicaid will require Managed Care Entities (MCEs) to report postpartum depression screening using HEDIS measures. It will also work with maternity providers to ensure they are submitting claims to MCEs.

 The primary objectives of the action plan are to:

  • Expand access to services for expecting mothers.
  • Increase awareness of 12-month postpartum coverage.
  • Improve screening rates and ensure appropriate referrals to mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

Learn more about our Government Agency Fellows program here.