If you are expecting a baby, you probably have questions about your health plan\u2019s prenatal and maternity benefits. Health New England offers many benefits to help you during your pregnancy, at childbirth and beyond.<\/p>\n
Prenatal care<\/strong> Harmony prenatal test<\/strong> Hospital admission<\/strong> Your cost sharing (copay\/deductible) will apply according to your plan benefits.<\/p>\n Massachusetts law gives mothers the right to stay in the hospital with the newborn for at least 48 hours after giving birth, or 96 hours after birth by C-section.<\/p>\n Free breast pump<\/strong> To get one in advance, all you need is a prescription from your doctor, and you must obtain the breast pump from an in-plan durable medical equipment (DME) provider. For a list of DME providers, go to healthnewengland.org\/provider-search, or contact Member Services for assistance.<\/p>\n Some hospital maternity programs offer breast pumps, which are also covered by Health New England. Be sure to ask ahead of time what is available at your local hospital.<\/p>\n **Deductible\/copay applies for some self-funded plan members.<\/em><\/p>\n Breastfeeding and lactation consultation<\/strong> Lactation consultants are professional breastfeeding specialists trained to teach mothers how to feed their babies. They can also help women experiencing breastfeeding problems, such as latching difficulties, painful nursing and low milk production.<\/p>\n
\nPrenatal care is very important to the health of the expectant mother and child, that\u2019s why the following prenatal services are covered as preventive care with no deductible or copay required when using in-network providers:
\n\u2022 Routine OB\/GYN prenatal visits
\n\u2022 Routine prenatal lab services
\n\u2022 Routine prenatal ultrasound
\n\u2022 Routine newborn nursery charges
\n\u2022 Newborn hearing screening<\/p>\n
\nIn certain circumstances, your provider may recommend a Harmony prenatal test, which is a new type of test that analyzes DNA in a blood sample to predict the risk of Down syndrome and other genetic conditions. This test requires your doctor to obtain prior authorization from Health New England. Your cost sharing (copay\/deductible) will apply according to your plan benefits.<\/p>\n
\nWhen it\u2019s time for you to deliver, as part of your inpatient hospital admission, Health New England will cover childbirth in the hospital setting* regardless of the method of childbirth:
\n\u2022 Vaginal or standard childbirth
\n\u2022 Water birth (in birthing tub at the hospital)
\n\u2022 Cesarean or C-section delivery
\n\u2022 Use of yoga, exercise balls, squat bar, etc.
\n*Home deliveries are not covered.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAnother benefit included in your plan is a free breast pump.** Health New England will cover one manual or electric breast pump at no cost to you. Prior authorization is not required.<\/p>\n
\nBreastfeeding is a personal choice, and an important one for your baby. If you choose, you can receive lactation consultation during your hospital stay or after being discharged as part of your Health New England plan.<\/p>\n