The Start Smart For Your Baby Texting Program is a component of Centene’s comprehensive Start Smart For Your Baby Care Management program. The Texting Program began in January 2012 and aims to improve maternal and infant health by providing timely heath information, resources and reminders to members during their pregnancy and continuing six months after birth. Specifically, the program’s goals are to encourage breastfeeding and increase prenatal, postpartum and infant well-child visits for our Medicaid members.
“We are honored to be recognized by MHPA for the Start Smart For Your Baby Texting Program,” said Dr. Amy Poole-Yaeger, Vice President, Medical Affairs for Centene. “Our team strives to continue delivering innovative programs for our members to make healthy decisions for themselves and their family.”
Over the life of the program, more than 476,700 text messages have been sent out to over 37,000 different members across 16 health plans, and over 24,700 Texting Program participants have given birth to babies. Nearly 22,000 members are enrolled in the program.
Compared to those not in the program, members who received the Start Smart For Your Baby text messages had improved timeliness of prenatal care, higher rates of ongoing prenatal care, and higher rates of breastfeeding. Prenatal care and breastfeeding are important precursors to healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. Centene continues utilizing innovative approaches, including the Start Smart For Your Baby Texting Program, to engage members and convey important and relevant information to impact health behaviors and improve quality of care.