Coverage, in plain language
Know your coverage — before you need it.
Medicaid pays for at least 40% of births in the U.S. The rules around postpartum coverage are shifting, and it's easy to lose coverage without realizing it. Here's what to know.
What changed in 2022
A full year of postpartum coverage
Starting in 2022, Congress let states extend Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to a full 12 months after delivery — and nearly every state adopted the extension. That matters enormously: it's the exact window when most pregnancy-related complications and deaths occur.
What's at risk now
Cuts that could roll it back
A 2025 federal law is projected to reduce Medicaid spending by more than $900 billion over the next decade. As states manage those losses, some of the postpartum extensions gained since 2022 could be scaled back. New work-reporting requirements are also raising concerns that pregnant and postpartum patients — who should be exempt — could be mistakenly dropped from coverage due to tracking gaps.
What you can do
Four things worth checking right now
Confirm your coverage window
Call your state Medicaid office or check your enrollment letter to confirm how long your postpartum coverage lasts.
Watch for renewal notices
Don't ignore mail or portal messages about "redetermination" — missing a deadline is one of the most common ways people lose coverage.
Ask about work-requirement exemptions
If your state has added Medicaid work requirements, confirm in writing that your postpartum status exempts you.
Have a backup plan for care
If coverage lapses before your follow-up appointments are done, know where you can still get seen affordably.
This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice, and coverage rules vary by state and change over time. For your specific situation, contact your state Medicaid office or a licensed insurance navigator.