INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has received approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to continue its practice of extending postpartum coverage for Hoosiers receiving Medicaid during pregnancy from 60 days to one year. Indiana has been providing this extended coverage since April; today’s federal announcement will allow it to continue.
Previously, postpartum Medicaid coverage ended after 60 days. In May, Indiana’s Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning asked CMS for approval to extend the postpartum coverage period for traditional Medicaid, Healthy Indiana Plan Maternity and Hoosier Healthwise members. This will apply to all who received maternity care from Medicaid since April 1.
The postpartum coverage period is available to any individual who meets one of the following criteria:
• Becomes pregnant while already enrolled in traditional Medicaid, HIP or Hoosier Healthwise
• Applies and is eligible for Medicaid while pregnant
• Applies for Medicaid after the child is born and was both pregnant and eligible in the month of application or one of the three months prior to the application month.
The CMS approval authorizes the extended coverage for Medicaid-eligible individuals for a five-year period, through March 31, 2027.