Information for Pregnant MassHealth Members

MassHealth is here to support you during your pregnancy and beyond!

Not a MassHealth member?

Even if you were not able to get MassHealth in the past, you may be eligible now that you’re pregnant, no matter your immigration status. You may now be able to get health insurance coverage if you are pregnant or were recently pregnant, and if you meet MassHealth requirements.

You can find more information about eligibility and applying for MassHealth here. You can also call us at [phone], TDD/TTY: 711.

Pregnancy checklist for MassHealth members

Contact MassHealth

Make sure to let MassHealth know you’re pregnant. You may be able to get extra benefits, no matter your immigration status. We can also give you more information about your coverage. You can let us know a few ways:

Option #1: Call the MassHealth Customer Service Center at [phone], TDD/TTY: 711. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Interpreter services are available.

Option #2: Update your pregnancy status in the member portal

Option #3: Go to a MassHealth Enrollment Center near you or make a virtual appointment. You can also make an appointment at mass.gov/masshealthappointment.

If you need assistance understanding your MassHealth coverage, contact My Ombudsman. Free support is available in many languages.

Schedule a prenatal care visit

Seeing a health care provider early in pregnancy is important to keep you and your baby healthy. Your primary care provider (PCP) or your health plan can help you find an obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN), certified nurse midwife (CNM), or other prenatal care provider.   

Note: You do NOT need a referral for pregnancy-related health care including prenatal care visits.

Call us at [phone], TDD/TTY: 711 to find out about your MassHealth plan.

If you need transportation, we may be able to help. You may be able to get free transportation to your medical appointments and other MassHealth covered services. Talk to your health care provider or click here to learn more.

Enroll in the Women, Infants & Children Nutrition Program (WIC)

WIC is a nutrition program for eligible Massachusetts families. WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care and other services free of charge. Most pregnant MassHealth members qualify for WIC.

For more information and to apply, click here.

Contact your MassHealth health plan. They can tell you if you can get additional benefits or programs

You might be able to get additional benefits or programs, depending on your MassHealth plan. These may include free infant car seats, childbirth education classes, housing and nutrition supports, and care management. Call us at [phone], TDD/TTY: 711 to find out about your MassHealth plan.

If you need assistance understanding your MassHealth coverage, contact My Ombudsman. Free support is available in many languages.

MassHealth covered services

MassHealth covers health care services during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum through 12 months following the end of pregnancy. Covered services for pregnant and postpartum members include but are not limited to:

• Prenatal care during pregnancy
• Postpartum care through 12 months following the end of pregnancy
• Labor and delivery care in hospitals and freestanding birth centers
• Breast pumps and milk storage bags (talk to your provider or health plan to order these)
• Family planning counseling, birth control, and abortion care
• Behavioral health care, including mental health and substance use disorder treatment
• Free transportation to health care appointments for eligible members

For more information about MassHealth covered services click here.

MassHealth coverage for infants

Be sure to tell MassHealth after you have your baby. You can do this a few ways:

Option #1: Have the hospital fill out a notice of birth (NOB) form. You can ask your health care provider about your hospital’s process. You should contact MassHealth to make sure that your baby was enrolled successfully with the correct birth date and information.

Option #2: Call the MassHealth Customer Service Center at [phone], TDD/TTY: 711. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Interpreter services are available.

Option #3: Report the change in the member portal

Your baby will be covered by MassHealth for at least 12 months beginning on the date of birth. To choose a pediatrician for your baby and enroll your baby in a health plan, call us at [phone], TDD/TTY: 711. You can also visit https://masshealthchoices.com/.

Mental health and substance use disorder (behavioral health) resources

Did you know that about 1 in 7 pregnant and new parents may experience depression or anxiety? You are not alone, and support is available!

• The Behavioral Health Help Line is available 24/7 for all residents of Massachusetts. Call or text 833-773-2445 or visit the website to chat online.

• Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) are one-stop shops for a wide range of mental health and substance use treatment programs. To find a CBHC near you click here.
• The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. Call or text 833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262).
• Postpartum Support International of Massachusetts can help you find a local support group and other resources.
• Moms Do Care offers specialized support in multiple locations for pregnant, postpartum, and parenting people with past or current substance use disorder.
• FIRST (Families In Recovery SupporT) Steps Together provides recovery and parenting supports for pregnant and parenting individuals who are affected by current or past substance use and have at least one child 5 or under. You don’t need to live with your children. Services are provided by specially trained peer staff who are parents in recovery and mental health counselors.

Talk to your health care provider about other mental health and substance use disorder resources and supports.

Health care providers can contact MCPAP for Moms for live behavioral health consultation and referrals.

Home visiting programs

Many home visiting programs offer free in person support to families in select communities. Each program is unique. Home visitors can help connect you and your family to the services and resources you need.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health offers several free, voluntary, and confidential home visiting programs:

• Early Intervention is a program for infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years old) who have developmental delays or are at risk of a developmental delay.
• Early Intervention Parenting Partnerships (EIPP) supports families from pregnancy through a child’s first birthday.
• FIRST (Families In Recovery SupporT) Steps Together provides recovery and parenting supports for pregnant and parenting individuals who are affected by current or past substance use and have at least one child 5 or under. You don’t need to live with your children. Services are provided by specially trained peer staff who are parents in recovery and mental health counselors.
• F.O.R. Families (Follow-Up Outreach Referral) supports families residing in Emergency Assistance shelters transition from homelessness to stable housing.
• Healthy Families America supports first-time families from pregnancy through the child’s 3^rd birthday. This includes families parenting for the first time in the U.S.
• Parents as Teachers provides services to pregnant and parenting families through kindergarten completion. Services include one-on-one home visits, parenting groups, and connections to needed resources. 
• Welcome Family offers a one-time 90-minute home visit from a nurse for all parents with a newborn up to 8 weeks after birth.

The Children’s Trust Healthy Families free home visiting program supports first-time parents age 23 and under.

Social services

There are many resources available to support eligible individuals and families with housing, nutrition, financial assistance, and other needs, including:

• The Women, Infants & Children Nutrition Program (WIC) is a nutrition program for eligible Massachusetts families. WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care and other services free of charge. Most pregnant MassHealth members qualify for WIC. For more information and to apply, click here.
• The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) assists and empowers low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency. DTA serves one in seven residents of the Commonwealth with direct economic assistance (cash benefits) and food assistance (SNAP benefits). They also help with workforce training opportunities. For more information and to apply, click here.
• You may be eligible for housing and nutrition supports or other resources depending on your MassHealth plan. Call your health plan to learn more. You can also call us at [phone], TDD/TTY: 711 for information about your plan. If you need extra help understanding your MassHealth coverage, contact My Ombudsman. Free support is available in many languages.

Date published:	September 11, 2023