Pregnant or just had a baby?

Program overview

California’s Birth Equity Population of Focus provides Enhanced Care Management to eligible adults and youth who are pregnant or within 12 months after the pregnancy ends and who are part of racial or ethnic groups experiencing documented disparities in maternal health outcomes. DHCS identifies Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander members as eligible examples under this Population of Focus. Atlas works alongside the member’s Medi-Cal managed care plan, maternity providers, behavioral health providers, doulas, midwives, hospitals, county programs, and community organizations to coordinate whole-person support. Birth Equity ECM complements existing prenatal, delivery, postpartum, and family services; it does not replace medical care.

Formal eligibility criteria

• Enrolled in a Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan and currently pregnant or within the 12-month period following the last day of the pregnancy.
• The postpartum period applies regardless of whether the pregnancy ended in a live birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, or abortion.
• Identified as part of a racial or ethnic group experiencing documented maternal health disparities. DHCS identifies Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander members as eligible examples for this Population of Focus.
• No additional diagnosis, hospital-use threshold, or other clinical condition is required to qualify under the Birth Equity Population of Focus, and managed care plans may not impose additional eligibility requirements.
• Enhanced Care Management is voluntary. Members and families may self-refer, while final eligibility, authorization, enrollment, and provider assignment are determined through the applicable Medi-Cal managed care plan.