The Ohio Department of Medicaid Releases Very First Performance Results for Comprehensive Maternal Care Program
COLUMBUS, Ohio –The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) today announced the performance results from the inaugural program year of its Comprehensive Maternal Care (CMC) initiative, marking a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to improve maternal health outcomes by paying for improved quality and outcomes.
“Giving every Ohioan the best possible start in life begins with supporting mothers and families from the very beginning,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “The Comprehensive Maternal Care program is a powerful example of how we can work together to ensure that moms receive the care, respect, and resources they need to thrive. When we invest in maternal health, we invest in the future of Ohio.”
CMC was announced in September of 2022 as part of Governor DeWine’s Bold Beginning: Healthy, Supported Families. Launched in January 2023, the CMC program was designed to support obstetrical providers in delivering high-quality care to pregnant and postpartum women—particularly those who have historically faced barriers to accessing comprehensive maternal health services.
In its first year, 77 practices from 24 organizations across 19 counties enrolled in the program, collectively serving nearly 36,000 women. Participating practices committed to:
- Collaborating with local community service providers
- Integrating mental and behavioral health into care
- Listening to feedback from moms and families
- Sharing best practices with peer organizations
- Focusing on the overall health and well-being of mothers—not just pregnancy care
“The Comprehensive Maternal Care program reflects our deep commitment to transforming how we support mothers and families across Ohio,” Ohio Department of Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran said. “By aligning financial incentives with whole-person care, we are empowering providers to deliver more coordinated and compassionate care before, during, and after pregnancy. These first-year results are just the beginning of a stronger, healthier future for Ohio’s moms and babies.”
To participate, providers were required to serve at least 150 pregnant and postpartum women. ODM supported their efforts through a tiered, prospective per member per month (PMPM) payment model based on patient risk levels. In total, ODM distributed $4.2 million in PMPM payments during the first year.
To qualify for these payments, providers had to meet at least 50% of the program’s clinical quality measures, which included:
- Hepatitis B screening
- HIV screening
- TDAP vaccination
- Tobacco cessation support
- Postpartum care
- Maternal primary care visits
Looking ahead, ODM is focused on expanding and improving the program. Future goals include:
- Increasing mental health screenings for moms
- Improving access to reliable transportation for medical appointments
- Encouraging postpartum primary care visits
- Enhancing the overall care experience for mothers
The CMC initiative is still growing. With support and outreach from the managed care plans the number of practices is still growing. In Program Year 2025, 129 practices from 52 entities across 35 counties are participating, serving nearly 49,000 women. ODM continues to evolve the program annually through updates to Ohio Administrative Code rule 5160-19-03 to better meet the needs of Ohio’s mothers, babies, and families.
About the Ohio Department of Medicaid The Ohio Department of Medicaid is the state’s largest health care payer, providing coverage to more than 3 million Ohioans. ODM is committed to advancing health equity and improving health outcomes through innovative care models and partnerships.
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