HAP CareSource tackles Black maternal health disparities in Michigan

TROY, Mich. (HAP CareSource) — Black Maternal Health Week is recognized April 11 to 17, and HAP CareSource is standing with communities across Michigan by amplifying the urgent call for change and investing in solutions that save lives. In Michigan, Black women and infants are more than three times as likely to die from pregnancy and birth-related causes as white women and infants. These outcomes are preventable.

Black Maternal Health Week is a time to honor the experiences of Black mothers and to confront the care gaps that threaten their lives. HAP CareSource, a mission-driven Medicaid plan, is advancing improvements in maternal health through its Mom and Baby Beginnings program. This innovative program delivers culturally competent care before, during and after pregnancy with a focus on 12 months of postpartum support, including:

• Access to nurses, social workers, counselors and breastfeeding experts
• Assistance with transportation, housing, nutrition and safety needs
• Personalized outreach from care managers, including home visits
• A rewards program offering up to $625 per child per year for healthy choices
• Comprehensive coverage for OB-GYN care, family planning and well-baby visits

Offered as part of HAP CareSource Medicaid coverage in 19 Michigan counties, the Mom and Baby Beginnings program enrolled more than 1,000 members in its first year in Michigan and improved key outcomes by reducing preterm births, cesarean sections and emergency visits, while lowering costs for families.

“As an OB-GYN and chief medical officer of HAP CareSource, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to provide quality, equitable care to every mother,” said Dr. Lori Billis. “Through programs like Mom and Baby Beginnings and our work with community partners, we’re focused on delivering care that meets the needs of mothers in Michigan.”

Looking ahead, HAP CareSource is focused on scaling access to high-impact programs, listening to the voices of Michigan families, and helping set a higher standard for maternal care across the state. For more information about HAP CareSource and its maternal health services, visit hapcaresource.com.

About HAP CareSource 

HAP CareSource is a joint venture between Health Alliance Plan (HAP) a Michigan-based health plan that provides health coverage to individuals and companies of all sizes, and CareSource a nationally recognized managed care organization with more than 2 million members. HAP CareSource extends and enhances the mission-based legacies of two trusted, midwestern nonprofit organizations – offering comprehensive health coverage, access to physicians and quality care with compassion. The joint venture enables HAP CareSource to provide more Michiganders access to award-winning products, services and an expanded provider network and to expand services to Medicaid-eligible individuals in the Lower Peninsula.

For more information, visit us at www.hapcaresource.com or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.