Buckeye Health Plan Garners MHPA Award for Most Innovative Maternal Health Practice

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Buckeye Health Plan (Buckeye) announced today it has been honored with a Medicaid Health Plan of America (MHPA) award for the Most Innovative Maternal Health Practice for its Addiction in Pregnancy Program.

MHPA and its sister organization, the Institute for Medicaid Innovation (IMI), recognized select member companies for innovative best practices that have improved the health of Medicaid enrollees. "The programs from these health plans serve as a model for others to follow in terms of ensuring access to and the delivery of high-quality care," said the organization's press release.

Buckeye's Addiction in Pregnancy Program identifies pregnant members with addiction problems and provides integrated case management through obstetric care and behavioral health care managers.

The program began in October 2013 and has resulted in shorter neonatal hospital lengths of stay and improved Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) rates for participants. The HEDIS Initiative/Initiation and Engagement of Alcohol and Other Drug Dependence Treatment (IET)/Engagement IET rates for members enrolled in the program are respectively 64.71 and 35.29 percent, as compared to 32.26 and 2.27 percent for the entire Buckeye population.

Through the Addiction in Pregnancy Program, 40 percent of members have remained drug free through 18 months post-delivery. The average length of stay has moved downward continuously. Babies born with addiction needed over 15 days of intensive neonatal care. They're now staying for an average of 7.5 days.

"Pregnancy is the time in these individuals' lives when they have the best chance of conquering their addiction permanently," said Dr. Brad Lucas, chief medical officer, Buckeye Health Plan. "This program provides a judgment-free zone for these expectant moms to find the tools and resources to improve their lives and the lives of their babies. We accept these women with open arms and provide support at a time when they need it most."

Dr. Lucas has helped build and guide this award-winning program and is responsible for the development of other programs that have improved clinical outcomes and ensure high quality care across all medical conditions for Buckeye members. Other key contributors to the program include head of care management Tricia Blackburn and the Cenpatico team.

To learn more about how the Addiction in Pregnancy Program works with women to stay clean and sober and deliver a healthy baby, visit our website.  

About Buckeye Health Plan

Buckeye Health Plan is a managed care plan that has been providing services in Ohio since 2004. Buckeye is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise offering both core Medicaid and specialty services. Buckeye can be followed on Twitter as Buckeye_Health and Facebook.

SOURCE Buckeye Health Plan

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