#United States #Austin #Superior HealthPlan #Start Smart #Texas Pregnancy

Transforming Maternal Health in Texas

Superior HealthPlan, a prominent managed care organization affiliated with Centene, has taken significant strides in enhancing maternal health in Texas. Through its innovative program, Start Smart for Your Baby®, the organization has successfully supported over 312,000 pregnancies since its launch in 2022. This initiative underscores Superior's commitment to providing essential services to new and expectant mothers, ensuring a healthier future for both mothers and their babies.

Comprehensive Support for Expecting Mothers

The Start Smart for Your Baby® program is designed to streamline access to a variety of resources for pregnant women. Among its offerings, the program provides:

• - Breast pumps: More than 88,000 breast pumps have been provided to mothers, enabling them to nourish their infants effectively.
• - Pregnancy care management: The program assists members in managing their pregnancies through appointment reminders and rewards for attending prenatal and postpartum visits. In total, over 177,000 visits have been facilitated since 2023.

Dr. Rutu Ezhuthachan, Chief Medical Officer at Superior HealthPlan, emphasizes the organization's responsibility in delivering comprehensive care. “As one of Texas’s largest Medicaid providers, our role in supporting new and expectant mothers is crucial for fostering healthy beginnings for families,” says Ezhuthachan.

Addressing a Growing Need

The need for robust maternal healthcare is prominent across the United States, with Medicaid currently covering nearly 40% of births nationwide. In Texas specifically, this number rises to almost 46%, highlighting the importance of programs like Start Smart in addressing maternal health needs. On average, Superior HealthPlan aids close to 70,000 pregnancies annually in Texas.

Key Features of the Program

When members inform Superior about their pregnancy, they are enrolled in the Start Smart for Your Baby® program, which offers numerous benefits:

• - Breastfeeding support: Comprehensive resources are available to assist mothers in breastfeeding.
• - Behavioral health resources: The program provides emotional support before, during, and after pregnancy.
• - Care coordination: For high-risk pregnancies, members have access to personalized coordination with healthcare providers.
• - Transportation assistance: Support is provided for members needing transport to medical appointments.
• - Community resources: Connections to local assistance for necessities such as food, clothing, and diapers.
• - Substance use assistance: The program helps mothers with resources to quit smoking, alcohol, or drug use.

Through these initiatives, Superior HealthPlan ensures mothers have access to vital resources that pave the way for healthier outcomes.

About Superior HealthPlan

For over 25 years, Superior HealthPlan has been dedicated to offering quality healthcare services to Texans. As a leading managed care organization, it now supports more than 1.5 million individuals across all 254 counties in Texas. With a commitment to health transformation, the company has contributed over $12.6 million in grants and support for low-income communities since 2020.

As a member of the Centene corporation family, Superior HealthPlan continues to innovate and improve healthcare access while providing the necessary support for the mothers and families they serve. For more information, visit Superior HealthPlan’s website.