Pregnancy and health
During this important time in your health, Healthy Blue—your MO HealthNet Managed Care Plan—offers programs and services to help you have a healthy pregnancy and birth. Read on to understand your benefits and learn about the resources available to you through our New Baby, New Life℠ maternity program.
First steps to take if you are pregnant
Once you find out you are pregnant, there are two things to do right away:
Make an appointment with your OB provider (obstetrician)
Regular checkups and screenings are important to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible. An obstetrician (OB) is a medical expert in pregnancy care. You will see this OB for prenatal visits before your baby’s birth.
If you do not have an OB, use our Find a Doctor tool to help you find one near you.
Talk with your OB about safe ways to stay on schedule with your prenatal care, such as telehealth versus in-office visits.
Sign up for Healthy Rewards
You can earn gift cards just for going to your doctor visits. All you have to do is join the Healthy Rewards program first. To join, log in to the Benefit Reward Hub and visit the Healthy Rewards portal. You also can call 888-990-8681 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time.
Keep health coverage for you and your baby
Our goal is to keep you and your baby healthy. Your baby could lose coverage with Healthy Blue after birth, depending on your state’s rules. You can ensure they stay enrolled by taking these steps:
Call the Family Support Division (FSD) Information Center at 855-373-4636 or visit our website at dss.mo.gov to access the FSD Program Enrollment System online as soon as possible to report the birth of your child. The State will give your baby an identification number, known as a DCN or MO HealthNet number.
Call Healthy Blue Member Services at 833-388-1407 (TTY 711).
Pick a PCP for your baby in Healthy Blue’s network. Visit our Find a Doctor tool to search for providers.
Your baby will be enrolled in Healthy Blue
Call the MO HealthNet ManagedCare Enrollment Helpline at 800-348-6627 if you want a different MO HealthNet Managed Care health plan for your baby. This is the only phone number you can use to change your baby’s MO HealthNet ManagedCare health plan. You cannot change MO HealthNet ManagedCare health plans for your baby until after your baby is born and has a MO HealthNet number. The Family Support Division staff cannot change your baby’s MO HealthNet ManagedCare health plan.
To be sure your baby gets all the services he or she needs, continue to use your current MO HealthNet Managed Care health plan and PCP until the new MO HealthNet Managed Care health plan is effective. If you want to change your baby’s MO HealthNet Managed Care health plan, the new MO HealthNet Managed Care health plan is effective the day following the change.
You also need to renew your health benefits
When it’s time to renew your MO HealthNet Managed Care coverage, the Family Services Division of Missouri Social Services will send you a yellow renewal form. You can renew your benefits by:
Mail:
Fill out the yellow form and mail it back as soon as possible. Be sure to fill out the form correctly. It’s important that the Family Services Division (FSD) has your current phone number and address.
Phone:
Call Family Support Division (FSD)’s Information Center at 855-373-4636, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central time.
The 24-Hour Nurse Help Line is ready to answer any health questions when your OB’s office is closed. Call seven days a week at 833-388-1407 (TTY 711).
Tools and resources
There are many places online to search for pregnancy resources and support. The Pregnancy and Beyond resource guide has information about your benefits, health guidance, and resources to help you keep yourself and your baby healthy in one guide.
Watch how your baby grows and changes inside the womb. Visit Health A to Z.
Breastfeeding is a healthy decision to make for your baby’s growth and development. Healthy Blue may cover the cost of a standard electric breast pump. Please contact Member Services at 833-388-1407 (TTY 711) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time to ask how you can receive a breast pump.
For more support with breastfeeding:
- Visit La Leche League International or call the La Leche League Breastfeeding Helpline at 877-452-5324.
- Visit the Infant Risk Center or call 806-352-2519.
SparkRecipes Healthy Recipes
Search more than 500,000 healthy recipes.
Show Your Love
Simple tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help you have a healthy pregnancy.
Navigating the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
If your baby was born sick or premature and has been admitted to the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), you may be having a difficult time coping. We believe that the more you know, the better you will be able to care for your infant. We are here to help you feel more at ease with your baby’s stay in the NICU.
Helpful NICU resources:
- Health A to Z (Healthwise)
- MyPreemie App
- Graham's Foundation provides support, advocacy, and research for preemies and their families. Their MyPreemie App supports families with preemies. This app was created with the March of Dimes to provide answers, tools, and support for the families of a NICU baby.
My NICU Baby
This app was created with the March of Dimes to provide answers, tools and support for the families of a NICU baby.
Community Resource Link
Get help finding food, jobs, housing, and paying bills.
Infant Safe Haven
Learn about safe-haven laws in your state and what to do if you cannot care for your newborn.
Visit the National Safe Haven alliance
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a program that provides resources and education to families with children. You can receive vouchers for food, health education, and peer counseling for moral support in parenting.
Visit the WIC website
A strong network of support can be helpful to handle the loss of a baby. Use these resources to find support:
- First Candle — Support for families who have had a pregnancy or infant loss. Call 800-221-7437 (TTY 711). Grief counselors are on hand at no cost 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- National Share— Pregnancy and infant loss support. Call 800-821-6819 (TTY 711).
- MISS Foundation — Support and resources after the death of a child. Call 888-455-6477 (TTY 711).
You may have questions about sex, relationships, body changes, or birth control. When you get regular checkups, you can talk with your doctor. If you want to talk privately, ask your doctor if they can answer your questions without a parent in the room.
You also can find helpful information online:
• Teen health
• Am I in a healthy relationship?
• Learn more about reproductive health for teens.
• Learn more about quitting smoking at teen.smokefree.gov.
• Take charge of your health: A guide for teens
• What is teen health?
What is a doula?
A doula is a nonclinical, certified professional who provides physical, emotional, social, and informational support to mothers before, during, and after childbirth.
What are doula services?
- Visits during pregnancy period; on-call telephonic availability throughout pregnancy and postpartum periods
- Continuous 1:1 birthing support during labor and delivery
- Prenatal and postpartum period education to provide information on self-care, feeding, safe sleep, mental health awareness, etc.
- Education and referrals to childbirth classes and community resources
What are the benefits of a doula?
- Shorter labors.
- Fewer requests for epidurals.
- Decrease of instrument-assisted deliveries.
- Decrease maternal anxiety and depression.
- Increased confidence in birth partners.
- Fewer cesareans (or lower cesarean rates).
- Improved communication between providers and mother.
- Increased success with breastfeeding.
- More time to bond with the baby.
- An easier transition into parenthood
How do I know I am eligible for a doula?
Target populations include, but are not limited to, birthing persons identified as "high risk" by the Health Plan. While a member may be eligible for a doula, doula services may not be available in all areas. Healthy Blue is actively working to expand doula services in all areas of the state.
If there are questions or to get connected with a doula, reach out to Member Services at 833-388-1407 (TTY 711) or contact your Healthy Blue Care Manager today.
Eligible members can get no-cost rides to medical appointments from Medical Transportation Management (MTM). You or your provider should call to schedule your ride at least three business days before your appointment.
Call MTM at 888-597-1193 (TTY 711) or visit the MTM website to set up your ride.
Do you use gas mileage reimbursement (GMR)? You can submit your claims using the Original Request ID MTM Trip Log.
Pregnancy can affect your oral health. Visiting your dental provider during pregnancy can help keep you and your baby healthy. Your dental provider can check for tooth decay and gum disease. They can also provide practical tips for home care. Dental care is important and safe during pregnancy.
For questions about your dental benefits or to find a dentist, call DentaQuest at 888-696-9533.
You may have special care needs. To help with these, we have care and Condition Care services. If you need support to get and stay healthy, we can help.
You may qualify for care management services if you have:
- Complex illnesses that require the coordination of many services.
- Children with special healthcare needs.
- Had or are going to have a transplant.
- A high-risk pregnancy.
- Multiple chronic illnesses.
- High-risk behavioral healthcare needs.
- Experienced domestic abuse.
- A responsibility for someone in foster care or adult guardianship.
- Special healthcare needs.
A care manager will work with you to help arrange your care needs. They will work with your doctors to make sure you get the right care when and where you need it. Call Member Services at 833-388-1407 (TTY 711) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
With the mobile app, you can:
- Log in easily and securely with Touch ID/Android Fingerprint/Face ID.
- Find a doctor, hospital, pharmacy, or specialist that serves your plan.
- Always have your Healthy Blue member ID card with you.
- Search for no- and low-cost community resources.
- Get important notices about your benefits.
- Check your symptoms with our symptom checker.
- Call a registered nurse (RN) to talk in private about your health anytime, day or night.
- View your claims (if applicable to your Health Blue plan).
- Take your Healthy Blue health risk assessment.
With your MO HealthNet Manager Care health plan, Healthy Blue, you may be eligible to receive no-cost extras to help you and your baby stay healthy. To learn more about these added benefits and see if you qualify visit the Benefit Reward Hub or call Member Services at 833-388-1407 (TTY 711) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday. Limitation and restrictions apply. Benefits and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
Are behavioral health services covered?
Yes. You do not need to see your PCP before getting behavioral health services. If you need help finding a behavioral health provider, use our search tool Find a doctor or call Member Services at 833-388-1407 (TTY 711). If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call our 24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis Line at 833-405-9088 (TTY 711) for help.
If you are in danger or need immediate medical attention, call 911 or go to the