CMS Announces New Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have announced the Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model.

The TMaH Model’s primary focus is to improve health outcomes for mothers and their infants enrolled in Medicaid and Childrens’ Health Insurance Program (CHIP). State Medicaid agencies (SMAs) selected to participate in the TMaH Model will receive support to develop a whole-person approach to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. The TMaH Model seeks to support access for midwives, birth centers, and doula services. Each participating SMA will be eligible for up to $17 million during the model’s 10-year period.

TMaH’s initiatives will center on three main pillars:

1. Access to care, infrastructure, and workforce capacity: TMaH will support relationship building and education to help participating states address barriers that limit access to valuable resources, such as midwives, doulas, and perinatal Community Health Workers (CHW); which have been shown to improve prenatal and postnatal maternal health outcomes.
2. Quality improvement and safety: Participating SMAs will implement quality initiatives and protocols with a goal of making childbirth safer and improving both the mother and baby’s overall experience, which when implemented consistently have been shown to improve maternal health outcomes.
3. Whole-person care delivery: Under the TMaH Model, individuals will be screened during their initial prenatal visit to determine what, if any, additional support they may need for health-related social needs, mental health, or substance use disorder.  Based on their physical, social, and mental health needs, a care plan will be developed in collaboration with the mother. Additionally, SMAs will assist pregnant people with the development of a unique birth plan that meets their needs.

The TMaH Model aims to foster an environment where mothers and their infants feel safe and supported throughout pregnancy and postpartum by providing them with the care and resources needed to support their physical and mental health, as well as their social needs.

CMS has released a fact sheet regarding this model and its implementation timeline; and intends to release a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for state Medicaid agencies in Spring 2024. Applications will be due in Summer 2024.

Questions about the model can be submitted to [email protected].