Blue Defend of California Promise Well being Plan launched a brand new program Thursday that goals to ease the monetary stress of turning into a brand new father or mother.
A managed care group providing Medi-Cal, Blue Defend of California Promise Well being Plan has about 580,000 members throughout Los Angeles and San Diego counties.
The brand new program, referred to as the Promising Begin Program, is out there for members in San Diego County for the primary yr of a child’s life. With a view to be eligible, members must be pregnant or have given delivery within the final 11 months. This system is an extension of the insurer’s Medi-Cal Maternity program, which gives assist and training for members throughout the perinatal interval, connection to group assets, care administration assist and assets for these experiencing a being pregnant loss.
It gives Promising Begin kits that embrace postpartum and new child provides like diapers, diaper-rash cream and breastfeeding pads. These are delivered to eligible members round their anticipated supply dates.
As well as, these deliveries will present data on preventive care, scheduling appointments for postpartum checkups and pediatrician visits. Members also can obtain Amazon vouchers to allow them to purchase diaper provides and different gadgets throughout the baby’s first yr. They’ll entry these vouchers after finishing a set of postpartum care and well-child visits.
The insurer estimates that greater than 800 pregnant members will obtain kits inside the first yr of this system. Along with monitoring enrollment in this system, the group will measure the variety of preventive care visits which might be made by members, anticipating that members may have higher well being outcomes, in accordance with Kristen Cerf, president and CEO of Blue Defend of California Promise Well being Plan.
“This program is designed to be a key engagement touchpoint to encourage members to make the most of preventative care choices, like postpartum visits and maternal despair screenings, and schedule very important well-child visits all through the primary yr of their child’s life,” Cerf stated in an electronic mail. “Via these touchpoints, the Promising Begin Program goals to assist assist the member and shut any care gaps for moms and their infants.”
Presently, diapers and different child provides can value about $80 a month, which might be important for brand new dad and mom. This initiative can cut back that monetary burden, in accordance with Cerf.
“Whereas having a child is likely one of the most transformative and thrilling experiences for a household, it can be extremely worrying and straining. … We’re excited to assist ease the monetary strains of welcoming a child into the household,” she stated.
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