Overview
Initiated in January 2011, the Obstetric (OB) Medical Home is part of DHS’ long-standing efforts to improve birth outcomes and reduce birth disparities in Wisconsin. The initiative was implemented in Southeast Wisconsin beginning in 2011, and implemented in Dane County and Rock County in 2014.
The OB Medical Home provides comprehensive, coordinated prenatal and postpartum care to BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid SSI HMO members who have been identified as high-risk. Care coordination is a key component, as is addressing psychosocial issues, (e.g., domestic violence, unstable living conditions, inadequate support system, etc.) and member engagement in her own care.
To be eligible, the member must:
- Be enrolled in the OB Medical Home within the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
- Meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Be less than 18 years of age.
- Be African American.
- Be homeless
- Have a chronic medical or behavioral health condition which will negatively impact the pregnancy.
- Had a prior poor birth outcome, defined as one or more of the following:
- Baby born at a low birth weight (less than 2,500 grams or 5.5 pounds).
- Baby born preterm (gestational age less than 37 weeks).
- Neonatal/early neonatal death (baby died within the first 28 days).
- Stillbirth (fetal demise after 20 weeks gestation).