"Pregnant By Choice" Program Provides Family Planning Options - Wyoming Department Of Health

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Article Date: 29 Nov 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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"Pregnant by Choice," a new Wyoming Department of Health program, will offer family planning services to new moms who are losing Wyoming EqualityCare (Medicaid) benefits at the 60-day postpartum period.

"Family planning services help women reduce the number of closely spaced pregnancies and decrease unintended pregnancies," said Sheree Nall, provider services manager for Wyoming EqualityCare (Medicaid). "This can lead to healthier babies, better birth outcomes and improved child health."

The new waiver begins January 1, 2009, and will provide family planning options to women who have received benefits through the department's existing Pregnant Women program. These women typically lose Medicaid benefits two months after giving birth.

Services covered by the waiver include:

-- Family planning services including education about reproductive health, abstinence and methods of contraception.

-- Initial and follow-up physical exam including patient education and counseling relating to reproductive health and family planning options, including a pap smear and testing for sexually transmitted infections

-- Necessary family planning/reproductive health-related laboratory procedures and diagnostic tests

-- Contraceptive management including drugs, devices, services and supplies

Clients transitioning from the Pregnant Women program are eligible if they don't have health insurance or eligibility for another Medicaid program. Participants need to be U.S. citizens and Wyoming residents age 19 through 44. Client income must be equal to or less than 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.

Services may be provided at family planning clinics, primary care physicians in public and private practice, certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacies, laboratories, outpatient departments of hospitals (as appropriate), Federally Qualified Health Centers, rural health clinics and tribal health centers.

While Wyoming EqualityCare (Medicaid) is a Wyoming Department of Health program, eligibility is determined by Department of Family Services (DFS) representatives. DFS benefit specialists will invite women eligible for the Pregnant Women program to participate in the new waiver after they deliver.

"It's important for clients to let their DFS benefit specialist know when they are pregnant. Only women in the Pregnant Women program will be eligible for the Pregnant by Choice waiver," Nall said.

Wyoming Department of Health