NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Medicaid Research Organization LaunchesInitiative on Maternal Mental Health
Washington, DC - January12, 2018–The Institute for Medicaid Innovation (IMI) in partnership withthe California Health Care Foundationand Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA) haslauncheda project on maternal depression and anxiety in Medicaid, with a special focus on Medi-Cal enrollees in California.
The effects of maternal mental health, specifically maternal depression and anxiety, are well known. This project aims to identify and summarize promisingapproaches used by Medicaid managed care plans for addressing maternal depression andanxiety during the perinatal period (i.e. pregnancy and up to one-year post birth), with a specificfocus on Medi-Cal managed care plans in California.
The following form the core of this initiative:
- A panel toguide development of a draft outline forthe report, assist in identifying potential resources, serve asexternal reviewers of the draft report; andhelp disseminate the final report.
- A comprehensive review and summary of the literature from a national perspective with an emphasis on California. The results will serve as the foundation for the report andwill guide development of an outline.
- A survey of California Medi-Cal managed care health plans on howthey are addressing depression and anxiety in the perinatal period, both on their own and incollaboration with providers. The IMI will examine programs to screen and treatwomen in the perinatal period that are in varying phases of implementation (i.e., earlyplanning phase, pilots, well-established). The IMI will include programs thatare focused on the individual as well as those with a more comprehensive view (e.g.designed to increase access to behavioral health services more generally and/or address socialdeterminants of health). Promising approaches will be featured in the report.
- A comprehensive yet readable final report that will include a review and summary of the literature from a national perspective, with anemphasis on California, a review of state Medicaid agency websites to develop comparison tables of key elementsof each state’s requirements and reimbursement for the identification and treatment ofmaternal depression and anxiety during the perinatal period, a discussion of barriers to identification and treatment across the U.S. withan emphasis on California, and a collection of summaries highlighting promising approaches by California Medi-Calmanaged care health plans. Lastly, the report will include clinical, policy, and research priorities to guide next steps in improving screening and treatment of maternal depression andanxiety during the perinatal period for women on Medicaid.
“Maternal depression and anxiety is a serious issue with Medicaid enrollees, especially those in California” said Jennifer Moore, IMI’s director. “We look forward to working towards addressing these problems in this project and develop strategies that can be used to help mothers nationwide.”
About the Institute for Medicaid Innovation (IMI)
The Institute for Medicaid Innovation focuses on providing innovative solutions that address important clinical, research and policy issues in Medicaid through multi-stakeholder engagement, research, data analysis, education, quality improvement initiatives and dissemination and implementation activities. For more information, visit
About Medicaid Health Plans of America
Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA) is the leading national trade association solely focused on representing the universe of Medicaid health plans. MHPA works on behalf of 136 commercial and non-profit plans that serve over 30 million lives in 39 states and Washington, DC. MHPA provides advocacy and research that support policy solutions to enhance the delivery of quality care to disadvantaged Americans. MHPA also holds an annual conference where industry leaders address key issues, discuss solutions, and share best practices. For more information, visit or
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