Newborn delivery services to Apple Health clients

Washington State Health Care Authority sent this bulletin at 11/09/2017 11:20 AM PST

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Apple Health (Medicaid) Provider Alert

Effective January 1, 2018, the Health Care Authority (the agency) will require all health care facilities that provide newborn delivery services to Apple Health clients to have established policies and procedures to provide:

(a) Skin-to-skin placement of the newborn on the mother's chest immediately following birth to promote the initiation of breastfeeding; and

(b) Room-in practices in which a newborn and a mother share the same room for the duration of their post-delivery stay at the facility.

The requirement is in compliance with RCW 74.09.475.

Health care facilities should follow evidenced based nationally recognized recommendations for these practices. Examples and resources can be found at the Washington State Department of Health’s Breastfeeding Friendly Washington program.

Questions can be sent to: WomensHealth@hca.wa.gov

About the Health Care Authority (HCA)

The Washington State Health Care Authority purchases health care for more than 2 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid) and the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program. As the largest health care purchaser in the state, we lead the effort to transform health care, helping ensure Washington residents have access to better health and better care at a lower cost.

Please do not reply directly to this message. For more information, visit the HCA website, where you'll also find contact information.

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