DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa’s plan to extend postpartum coverage for new mothers has been approved by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the governor’s office announced on Wednesday.
In 2024 Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill that expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage for Iowans . Previously the coverage lasted for 60 days, but the new law extends coverage to 12 months post-birth for families at or below 215% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four that would be an income limit of $67,080.
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“By extending this coverage, we will be able to provide eligible Iowa mothers with insurance coverage and access to necessary and critical health care,” Kelly Garcia, director of Iowa Health and Human Services, said in a statement. “Our hope remains that this extension of coverage will bridge the gaps and create new pathways for families to thrive and be successful. Healthy moms mean healthy families.”
The expanded coverage was supposed to begin this month but was delayed due to waiting on approval from the CMS. Iowa HHS said it will announce a date for when the expanded coverage will go into effect once more information is provided by the CMS…