Virginia Medicaid staff outline 12‑month postpartum coverage, new doula benefit and prenatal options
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Summary
DMAS staff described Virginia Medicaid’s maternal services, including the 12‑month postpartum expansion (effective July 2022), a doula benefit implemented in July (171 state‑certified doulas, 133 Medicaid‑enrolled), and FAMIS prenatal coverage that provides prenatal care but only 60 days postpartum for immigration‑status‑limited members.
Dorothy Swan, an outreach and member engagement specialist at the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), introduced a stakeholder briefing in which Marissa Sadler, the agency’s maternal and women’s health program operations analyst, laid out Virginia Medicaid’s prenatal and postpartum benefits and recent program changes.
DMAS staff emphasized that postpartum coverage now extends for 12 months after birth (effective July 2022), replacing a prior 60‑day limit. "We are now happy to cover moms during their postpartum period for currently 12 months postpartum," Sadler said, adding that the extended coverage includes behavioral and mental‑health services, dental care and substance‑use disorder treatment.
The presentation noted that DMAS maintains a maternity dashboard (updated twice monthly) showing enrollment and demographic breakdowns and that the agency covers roughly 44,000 births per year. Sadler said most Medicaid maternity members receive services through one of five managed care organizations—Aetna, Anthem, Molina, Sentara and UnitedHealth—which may offer enhanced added benefits such as diapers or strollers beyond standard Medicaid services.
Sadler reviewed newer benefits, including a doula benefit implemented in July. "We currently have 171 state certified doulas enrolled as of currently, and 133 Medicaid enrolled doulas," she said. The doula benefit covers an initial prenatal visit, up to three additional prenatal visits, four postpartum visits and attendance during labor and delivery, she said.
DMAS staff also described FAMIS prenatal coverage for pregnant women who do not meet immigration‑status rules for Medicaid or FAMIS Moms. Sadler said those members receive full prenatal coverage but only 60 days of postpartum coverage and that doulas are not covered under FAMIS prenatal coverage.
During the question period, staff said they would share the specific list of services included under FAMIS prenatal coverage and a locality list showing where doulas are currently covered. Sadler said DMAS has a doula analyst who can provide locality details and that participants could follow up by email (Baby Steps Virginia at a DMAS address) for additional information.
The meeting closed with general outreach announcements and a reminder about the next DMAS stakeholder meeting on Oct. 17, 2024.
