CenteringPregnancy initiative focuses on improving prenatal care outcomes and reducing disparities

Health care disparities have had a significant effect on maternal health care, with recent studies showing that Black women have higher rates of preterm births, cesarean section and maternal morbidity compared to white women. Although we’re seeing a decrease in these disparities, we need to do more to eliminate inequities in maternal health care and outcomes.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Physician Group Incentive Program recently launched a new CenteringPregnancy^® initiative with the goal of reducing maternal health care disparities and offering support to pregnant women throughout the prenatal and postpartum period. CenteringPregnancy is a model of prenatal care where women experience their prenatal care in a group setting led by a health care provider.

The groups are made of eight to 12 pregnant women at similar stages of pregnancy. The group setting allows women to bond with other pregnant women going through a similar experience, receive prenatal and infant care education, and discuss their concerns with other group members. Research by the Centering Healthcare Institute has shown that this model can reduce or eliminate disparities in maternal health care.

“The CenteringPregnancy model is an innovative model of care that has had excellent outcomes to date,” said Dr. Marti Walsh, senior medical director and associate chief medical officer at Blue Cross. “Women who go through pregnancy using this model of care have higher immunization rates, higher breastfeeding rates and lower incidences of preterm and low birth weight deliveries.”

Dr. Walsh added that it also provides a social support system for women as they go through their pregnancy and delivery, and increases their overall satisfaction with their prenatal care.

Through PGIP, Blue Cross will cover the cost of training and implementation of the CenteringPregnancy model, with training provided through the Centering Healthcare Institute. Physician organizations will be awarded an incentive for each practice that completes the training and implements the CenteringPregnancy model of care.

Many POs and practice units attended the CenteringPregnancy informational webinar on Sept. 25. If you missed it, learn more about our CenteringPregnancy initiative through PGIP here. And you can take an assessment to see if your practice is ready to get involved in this program by clicking on the Start Centering button at the top of the website and scrolling down to access the Readiness Assessment link.

Training dates are tentatively scheduled as follows:

• April 2 and 3
• June 4 and 5
• Aug. 6 and 7
• Oct. 4 and 5
• Dec. 6 and 7

Training locations are yet to be determined but will be located in strategic geographic locations throughout the state.

For more information and to let us know you’re interested in participating, send an email to POPrograms@bcbsm.com. This will help us determine locations for the upcoming training sessions.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.