Expanding Tenncare pregnancy benefits for mothers matters
Until now, Tenncare coverage for postpartum women extended only to 60 days after delivery.
After that period, some women could qualify for Tenncare under a different eligibility category such as being a caregiver.
However, around 5,000 new mothers would not be eligible for continued health coverage during one of the most vulnerable moments of a woman’s life.
As a maternal-fetal medicine specialist practicing in Memphis, I commend Gov. Bill Lee and the Division of Tenncare for adding new benefits and extending healthcare coverage to help pregnant and postpartum women on Tenncare, and I am grateful the Tennessee legislature approved the proposal.
Tenncare women now have health coverage for a full twelve months after pregnancy. They can also receive dental coverage, a new option for pregnant moms, during pregnancy and for the twelve months after as well.
Providing continuity in health coverage and access to oral health services will help improve the health of our new mothers and their infants.
Maternal deaths in the United States have risen over the past decade and this reality requires a focused effort by everyone involved in the pregnancy journey of a patient.
I have dedicated my career to improving health outcomes for women, particularly pregnant women with high risk conditions such as diabetes and hypertension disorders.
Many pregnancy-related complications and deaths are due to cardiovascular causes including high blood pressure and heart disease that develop or worsen during pregnancy and continue well into the postpartum period.
Additionally, in my practice, I have seen how much untreated oral health disease can be exacerbated during pregnancy.
Pregnant women are more likely to experience bacterial infections in the gums and develop cavities. Nearly 40% of pregnant women in our country have periodontal disease and emerging studies show that gum disease is associated with low birth weight and preterm births.
Lastly, mental health challenges, especially in the postpartum period, have an outsized impact on a mother and her infants’ overall health.
While still under-diagnosed and undertreated, we are finally recognizing how vital it is to support a mother’s mental health throughout the entire postpartum period. Mental health conditions can negatively impact a mother’s ability to bond with her new infant. Disruption to that bond may add increased mental health strain for the mom but can also result in children experiencing difficulty sleeping and language delays.
Through my many years of providing perinatal care, I know those initial months after delivery can be overwhelming and challenging for all parents.
Ensuring Tenncare moms can receive critical medical and behavioral health care when needed in the postpartum period is vital to helping our moms and children have a strong start after pregnancy.
Having access to a new dental benefit can also be life-changing for the mother and infant. For the Tenncare moms that I serve, having the confidence that they will have continued health coverage to see a primary care provider, specialist, or mental health provider to address their physical, mental, and oral health needs will meaningfully improve the longterm health of the mother and child.
I encourage women to seek the medical care they need during this period. Women who qualify for Tenncare or are currently on Tenncare should reach out to their health plan to see how they can access these new benefits.
It is important to see your doctor throughout your pregnancy and to schedule at least two follow up visits postpartum. If a woman experiences depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, or any other high-risk condition, they should seek more frequent doctors’ visits.
I am thankful for those who have worked to implement the policy and look forward to working together to ensure mothers and babies have the best care and futures.
Danielle Tate, M.D., associate professor at the University of Tennessee in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, serves as director of the Obstetric Infection Disease Division and director of High-risk Outpatient Services.