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Pomelo Care's Revolutionary Impact on Maternity Care

In a groundbreaking presentation at the 2026 annual meetings of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Pomelo Care showcased new findings that demonstrate the effectiveness of its virtual maternity care model. The company, recognized as a leader in evidence-based healthcare for women and children, unveiled compelling data that indicate significant reductions in NICU utilization, lower infant healthcare costs, and enhanced quality of care.

Pomelo Care’s model is built on over 40 peer-reviewed studies indicating that proactive, technology-enabled maternity care can lead to substantial improvements in both maternal and neonatal outcomes. Importantly, the data presented comes from medical claims instead of self-reported surveys, thereby providing an auditable and clinical basis for its conclusions.

Key Findings of the Research

1. Reduced NICU Stays: Patients enrolled in Pomelo’s program experienced a remarkable 45% decrease in NICU length of stay, which contributes to improved overall infant health outcomes.
2. Cost Savings: The research highlighted a 63% reduction in NICU-related costs per delivery alongside a staggering average total episode cost reduction of over $9,000.
3. Healthcare Costs Decline: The virtual support model facilitated a 20% decrease in overall infant healthcare costs, alongside a 10% decrease in the costs associated with emergency department visits for infants.
4. Improvements in Pre/Postnatal Care: An 82% increase was noted in the timeliness of prenatal care, alongside a 47% increase in timely postpartum care, both metrics defined by HEDIS standards.

Marta Bralic Kerns, CEO of Pomelo Care, emphasized the importance of these findings, stating, "Employers and health plans are increasingly looking for solid evidence that clinically integrated, evidence-based maternity care can improve outcomes while effectively reducing costs. Our research consistently indicates that proactive, continuous, and coordinated care can reduce complications while delivering measurable value for families and payers."

Evaluating the Impact

At ACOG, the comparison study evaluated patients’ engagement with Pomelo’s services before and after delivery. The data showed that patients who engaged with Pomelo prenatally achieved a 45% reduction in NICU stays compared to those who only enrolled post-delivery. Furthermore, when analyzing the benefits of early identification of pregnancy combined with continuous virtual support, another study presented at ISPOR indicated enhancements in quality metrics tied to payer reimbursement. In this analysis, the program boosted the odds of receiving timely prenatal care by over 82%.

The financial implications of these improvements are vast. Should similar results be applied to the Texas Medicaid Pay for Quality Program, quality-based reimbursements could range between $2 million to $6 million for a single mid-sized health plan.

Additionally, a separate study revealed a 20.65% reduction in infant healthcare costs within the first 60 days of life associated with participation in Pomelo's program, showcasing the effectiveness of early and continuous care. The program connects families with a multidisciplinary care team including pediatricians, nurses, and mental health specialists, enabling timely responses to neonatal concerns.

The Future of Maternity Care

With these advancements, Pomelo Care continues to push the boundaries on what is possible within maternity healthcare. As their flagship study earlier this year indicated, longer prenatal engagement correlates with reduced preterm births and NICU admissions.

About Pomelo Care

Pomelo Care targets the comprehensive healthcare needs of women and children, from reproductive health and pregnancy through infant and pediatric care. Combining preventive care and long-term condition management, Pomelo’s approach incorporates 24/7 access to multidisciplinary specialists to address the significant factors affecting outcomes. The company partners with payers and employers to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality.

Discover more about their services at Pomelo Care.