New Colorado mothers can now stay on Medicaid for up to a year

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., (KRDO) - Following a recommendation by the state's review board, new mothers can now stay on Medicaid for up to a year. According to health officials, this is to reduce maternal mortality and help mothers mentally and physically.

American Rescue Plan Act allows states to extend new mothers’ Medicaid eligibility to 12 months for the next five years. 

Health First Colorado, the state’s Medicaid program, covers about 40% of low-income pregnant women. Previously Medicaid insurance only lasted 60 days after a woman gave birth if they no longer met financial eligibility requirements.

Now, this extension will help low-income Colorado mothers struggling with finances for a full twelve months.

For women like Lauren Silk a working full-time mom and a supervisor at the Beginnings Birth Center, secure healthcare is a must.

"This pregnancy has been a little bit more exhausting just cause mom is doing a lot," said Silk.
She's also counting on her Medicaid coverage to help after her pregnancy. 

"Things like postpartum anxiety and depression can affect women all the way through the first year and then there are things like feeding issues or being able to have the support if you are breastfeeding-all of those things are things that pop up during that time frame that I think women need to have access too," added Silk.

Before this new state extension, 7,000 to 8,000 Coloradans were losing their Medicaid coverage 60 days after giving birth.

Adults who don’t have any special circumstances — such as pregnancy — are only eligible for Medicaid if their incomes are below 133% of the poverty line or roughly $24,360 for two people. During pregnancy and the postpartum period, the cutoff is raised to 195% of the poverty line, or $35,712 for the same two-person family.

"A lot of times you can feel with the way that Medicaid was previously that you are just kind of dumped and then you are trying to pick up the pieces and figure it out without insurance," expressed Silk.

Data shows Colorado had the third lowest maternal mortality rate of 30 states from 2018 to 2020.
Still, Susanna Snyder, maternal child health manager at the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, says prevention of future medical issues is key.

"Looking at deaths as the only indicator of the health of a population is really kind of our baseline- what we really want to do is set those parents out to thrive in that first year of post-partum," said Snyder.

Medical officials recommend new mothers have a postpartum visit three weeks after birth. They also recommend another postpartum appointment a few months after -- especially if it's a complicated pregnancy.

The state says it is important to notify Health First Colorado of your pregnancy status so that they can update your eligibility.