Community Care Health (CCH) maintains a Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes Program to support pregnant and postpartum members, promote maternal mental health screening and treatment, and help identify and reduce disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.
Community Care Health contracted medical groups and practitioners providing prenatal and postpartum care are required to offer maternal mental health screening using a standardized, validated screening tool:
- At least once during pregnancy
- At least once during the first six weeks postpartum
- Additional postpartum screenings when medically necessary and clinically appropriate
Screening may be completed in an office, inpatient facility, or other appropriate setting. Validated screening tools may include the PHQ-9, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS-10), EPDS-3, and GAD-7.
When a screening identifies a potential mental health concern, practitioners should initiate an appropriate response based on the member’s stage of pregnancy, history, condition, and severity of symptoms. Members who need assistance accessing behavioral health services may contact SimpleTherapy at 800-644-2478 or visit the SimpleTherapy.
Community Care Health also supports education regarding the role and potential benefits of doulas before, during, and shortly after childbirth. Doula services are not currently a covered benefit under CCH HMO or EPO products; however, members may request information, referral assistance, and resource navigation for community-based doula and maternal support resources.
CCH monitors maternal and infant health information, member and provider engagement, identified barriers and disparities, and opportunities for quality improvement through its Quality Improvement program and oversight processes.
For questions, please email us at : CCHQualityManagement@communitymedical.org
