New Study Finds Medicaid Savings and Better Outcomes through CenteringPregnancy®

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Research team finds CenteringPregnancy to reduce risk of preterm birth by more than a third and save more than $2 million.

BOSTON, March 21, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Centering Healthcare Institute (CHI) applauded the findings of a retrospective five-year cohort study lead by the University of South Carolina examining the cost savings of preventing poor birth outcomes through CenteringPregnancy group prenatal care. The study was published in the Journal of Maternal and Child Health and included the following findings:

• CenteringPregnancy participation reduced the risk of premature birth by 36%
• For every premature birth prevented, there was an average savings of $22,667
• Centering reduced the risk of a NICU stay by 28%

"This newest research from South Carolina confirms that government and payer investments in CenteringPregancy pay tremendous dividends in healthier babies and moms, as well as substantial savings," said Angie Truesdale, Centering Healthcare Institute CEO. "South Carolina is a pioneer in incentivizing this evidenced-based care, and we hope other state Medicaid programs will follow suit so that their infants, new mothers and tax dollars can benefit in the same way."

These findings support a growing body of published research pointing to fewer preterm births and a reduction in persistent and profound racial disparities in preterm birth. The authors conclude that, "given the [Greenville Health System] program is serving as a model for other states and U.S. DHHS, the pilot results do have policy and practice implications." South Carolina is one of the few states in the nation currently incentivizing group prenatal care through enhanced Medicaid reimbursement.

In CenteringPregnancy, pregnant women with similar due dates join together in a group with their healthcare provider for prenatal care. All the components of prenatal care, health assessment, interactive learning and community building are in a group setting. There is facilitated discussion of pregnancy, birth and newborn care as well as overall health, and many other topics.

Centering Healthcare Institute (CHI) is improving health by transforming care through Centering groups. CHI works to expand access to Centering by supporting clinical practice sites that offer CenteringPregnancy and CenteringParenting, through training and implementation support, as well as advocacy. For more information visit www.centeringhealthcare.org.

Media Contact:
Marena Burnett
mburnett@centeringhealthcare.org
857-284-7570 x 113