New Michigan mothers to have BP monitors, mental health checks covered by insurance

More than 60% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

To reduce negative outcomes for mothers and their children, Michigan leaders passed nearly a dozen bills this year that aim to improve access to health care during and after pregnancy.

Among the highlights were required mental health screenings for new mothers, improved access to blood pressure monitoring, and overall improvements in prenatal care.

State Rep. Carol Glanville, D-Walker, said the bill package signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in late January, would help ensure the health and safety of new mothers and their children.

“Pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period can be a stressful time for new parents and can come with health challenges,” Glanville said in a prepared statement. “These bills work to address the unique needs of maternal health care to ensure better outcomes for families.”

Related: Infant death rate dips to new low in Michigan

House Bills 5167 and 5168 will now require health insurance coverage of blood pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum women. Previously, only some plans covered at-home monitors.

By improving access, the new laws help more women identify potential risks to their health and their pregnancy arising from elevated blood pressure, including preeclampsia and premature birth.

Dr. Kania McGhee, at obstetrician-gynecologist for Corewell Health in West Michigan, said an estimated 15% to 20% of patients who are pregnant or postpartum will have high blood pressure.

Often, high blood pressure doesn’t come with physical symptoms and thus can go undetected without monitoring. Left unmanaged, it’s one of the most common causes of maternal morbidity.

McGhee called the new legislation a “wonderful first step,” ensuring patients have a monitor to track their blood pressure levels.

“We know hypertension can also play a role in fetal health and ultimately infant health,” she said. “Making sure we can get blood pressure cuffs for our patients was a big move.”

Related: Black babies in Michigan face triple the mortality rate of white infants before first birthday

Patients with high blood pressure during and after pregnancy are also at increased risk of high blood pressure later in life. Untreated, it can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke.

“For most patients it will resolve,” she said. “But it’s important for their primary care provider to know so they can follow it in the long term.”

Another key aspect of the maternal care bill package is the expansion of mental health services for postpartum mothers (House Bills 5169, 5170 and 5171).

A 2018 study published by the CDC indicated 13% of surveyed women with a recent live birth reported depressive symptoms during the postpartum period. One in five said they weren’t asked about depression during their prenatal visits, and one in eight said they weren’t asked during postpartum visits.

The new laws require Michigan health professionals to offer mental health screenings at follow-up appointments and child wellness visits, and to provide mental health resources including referrals. Insurers will be required to cover those screenings.

“Identifying postpartum depression is a key step to ensuring early success, said former state Rep. Rachel Hood, D-Grand Rapids, who sponsored one of the bills. ”With these bills, medical professionals will be required to treat both physical and behavioral health needs of new moms, and that will support healthier kids and families.”

For years, Corewell Health West has screened mothers for postpartum depression. More recently, the screening has become more standardized, McGhee said.

Even if it’s become a common practice within other health systems, McGhee said it’s still useful to put it into law and help raise awareness of mental health care. She added that there are still lots of opportunities to continue optimizing that care in partnership with mental health professionals.

Other changes in the maternal health bill package include establishing a program that designates the level of care offered at a perinatal facility; and requiring hospitals to provide information to patients on how to enroll their newborns in health insurance.