Does Medicaid cover postpartum care for a full year?

Many states have adopted the federal option to extend postpartum Medicaid to 12 months after birth, and most states now offer it (CMS). Whether it applies to you depends on your state, so check your state Medicaid agency for current details.

Is the Mommy Passport tied to my Medicaid coverage?

No. The Mommy Passport is free for patients regardless of your insurance, and your record stays with you even if your coverage changes or ends. Materna is paid by providers, not by you.

Which states does Materna serve?

Materna currently serves Arizona, California, Texas, and Pennsylvania, with a focus on families along the US-Mexico border.

Coverage and access

Medicaid and maternal coverage in border states: AZ, CA, TX, and PA

May 20, 2026 · 7 min read

Medicaid pays for a large share of births in the United States, and for many families it is the coverage that makes prenatal and postpartum care possible. But the rules are set state by state, so what you qualify for and how long it lasts depends on where you live. This guide explains the basics for the four states Materna serves and how to keep your care moving while your coverage does.

A mother holding her child in a warm, supportive moment

What Medicaid covers during pregnancy

In every state, Medicaid covers pregnancy-related care for people who qualify, including prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and care for the newborn. Income limits for pregnant people are set higher than for many other groups, so families who would not otherwise qualify often do during pregnancy. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reports that Medicaid and CHIP together pay for roughly four in ten births in the United States, which is why understanding your coverage is one of the most practical steps you can take early in pregnancy.

The postpartum window has changed

For years, pregnancy Medicaid in many states ended about 60 days after birth, right when postpartum risks are still high. A federal option now lets states extend postpartum Medicaid coverage to a full 12 months, and a large majority of states have adopted it (CMS). This matters because the CDC reports that a meaningful share of pregnancy-related deaths happen between one week and one year after delivery, so coverage that lasts the full year keeps the door to care open during a period when warning signs still appear.

How the four Materna states differ

Arizona, California, Texas, and Pennsylvania each run their own Medicaid program with its own name, income rules, and enrollment process, so coverage is not identical across the states Materna serves. The clearest way to get current, accurate details for your situation is to check your own state Medicaid agency or a local enrollment assister, because eligibility thresholds and covered services are updated over time. Materna does not determine your eligibility and does not change your coverage, but the Mommy Passport keeps your prenatal and postpartum record in one place no matter which program you are enrolled in.

Coverage at the border, in two systems

Along the US-Mexico border, families often move between clinics, between cities, and sometimes between two countries during a single pregnancy. Coverage gaps and transfers are common, and a record that does not travel with you can mean repeated tests and lost history. The Mommy Passport is Spanish-first and bilingual, and it can export your record in a standard format (FHIR R4) so that whatever your coverage looks like, your full history can move with you from one provider to the next.

How Materna fits in

Materna is free for patients and is paid by providers at $149 per provider per month, so keeping your record together never depends on your coverage status. You can log symptoms, blood pressure readings, and how you are feeling by voice in English or Spanish, and concerning values get flagged so they do not wait for the next appointment. Materna is built to be HIPAA-aligned, and your record belongs to you.

What this guide is not

This is general information, not legal, financial, or eligibility advice, and Medicaid rules change. For a decision about your own coverage, contact your state Medicaid agency or a local enrollment assister. Materna does not enroll you in Medicaid or decide what you qualify for. For anything urgent during pregnancy or postpartum, such as severe headache, heavy bleeding, trouble breathing, or thoughts of harming yourself, call your provider right away, and for an emergency call 911.

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Frequently asked questions

Does Medicaid cover postpartum care for a full year?: Many states have adopted the federal option to extend postpartum Medicaid to 12 months after birth, and most states now offer it (CMS). Whether it applies to you depends on your state, so check your state Medicaid agency for current details.
Is the Mommy Passport tied to my Medicaid coverage?: No. The Mommy Passport is free for patients regardless of your insurance, and your record stays with you even if your coverage changes or ends. Materna is paid by providers, not by you.
Which states does Materna serve?: Materna currently serves Arizona, California, Texas, and Pennsylvania, with a focus on families along the US-Mexico border.