We're starting off the new year with a reflection on the maternal health industry in 2024 -- the progress, setbacks, and possibilities for 2025 and beyond. Several studies brought critical attention to the health of pregnant and postpartum women, particularly those facing disparities, while some policy changes signaled a growing conviction that virtual heath tools are beneficial and effective for maternity care.
Here are our top highlights from the year in maternal health:
New reimbursement pathways for remote patient monitoring
In January, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Centers (RHCs) can now bill for Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) under new global coding. This new rule gives FQHCs and RHCs — the primary organizations delivering care to the underserved — a secure path to implementing and maintaining RPM programs, enabling them to immediately improve the quality of care for existing patients and creating opportunities to expand services to a greater number of patients. It's one step in a broader, ongoing process to meet a growing demand for virtual care from consumers and healthcare providers with practical reimbursement policies.
[Read more: FQHCs and RHCs Can Now Bill for Remote Patient Monitoring]
A closer look at the maternal mortality numbers
In March, an NPR report revealed that the true extent of maternal mortality in the U.S. might be lower than previously thought. The analysis pointed out discrepancies in how deaths were attributed to pregnancy-related causes, shedding light on the complexities of data collection and suggesting that the crisis may not be as bad as once believed, although disparities remain widespread, especially for Black women. An official response from ACOG warned the maternal health industry not to become complacent, pointing out that overemphasizing clerical errors in reporting might remove attention from what remains an unacceptable rate of maternal mortality in the US.
[Read more: Has the U.S. Maternal Mortality Rate Been Overestimated?]
Better maternal healthcare for Medicaid means full coverage of virtual services
In April, in a groundbreaking move, the American Medical Association (AMA) advocated for broader Medicaid coverage to include virtual maternal health services. The call for policy change reflects growing recognition of the need for telehealth services to improve access to care, particularly in underserved communities. This recommendation aligns with efforts to modernize maternal health care delivery and address the challenges faced by those with limited access to in-person services.
[Read more: AMA Calls for Comprehensive Medicaid Coverage of Virtual Maternal Health Services]
A new template for integrating RPM in maternity care
In July, Massachusetts set a new precedent with its policy on remote patient monitoring (RPM) for maternity care. MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program, released a comprehensive blueprint aimed at integrating RPM into maternity care. This policy encourages the use of technology to track health metrics like blood pressure, which is vital for managing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. It could serve as a model for other states seeking to improve maternal health outcomes through digital health solutions.
[Read more: MassHealth Offers a Blueprint for RPM in Maternity Care]
Clinical support for postpartum hypertension monitoring
In a significant move for postpartum care, September's Green Journal's Editor's Pick this year affirmed the importance of continued hypertension monitoring after childbirth. The highlighted study, "Clinical Outcomes Associated With a Remote Postpartum Hypertension Monitoring Program," found that remote monitoring of postpartum hypertension was associated with fewer readmissions, increased adherence to national guidelines, and initiation of antihypertensive medications for individuals with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). It also recommended that health systems adopt stronger protocols for monitoring and managing high blood pressure after delivery.
[Read more: Green Journal Editor's Pick Affirms Postpartum Hypertension Monitoring]
Inadequate prenatal care on the rise
In October, the release of the United Health Foundation's 2024 report on the health of women and children underscored troubling trends in maternal health, including rising rates of severe maternal morbidity and inadequate prenatal care. The report also highlighted persistent racial and socioeconomic disparities, particularly among Black and Hispanic women, and called for enhanced data collection and reporting to better address these inequities. The report gave insight into the future of maternal health if things continue in the direction that they're trending, showing in many cases that younger women are experiencing poor outcomes at higher rates than earlier generations.
[Read more: 4 Key Findings on Maternal Health from UHF & America's Health Rankings]
AMA removes 16-Day RPM reporting requirement
Also in October, in a move that is likely to benefit the implementation of remote patient monitoring, the AMA announced the removal of the 16-day reporting requirement for RPM services. Effective January 2026, this policy change offers healthcare providers more flexibility in using RPM tools without the burden of stringent reporting timelines, ultimately supporting broader adoption of these technologies for maternal health.
[Read more: AMA panel changes major reporting requirement for remote monitoring, removing barriers for the industry]
Alarming rates of hypertension in pregnant and postpartum women
In November, the Washington Post reported that women are experiencing maternal health complications at higher rates than ever, even with no risk factors going into pregnancy. The sharp rise in hypertension cases among pregnant and postpartum women specifically has become a growing concern for maternal health. With high blood pressure contributing to an increasing number of maternal deaths, health experts are urging policy changes and better care practices to address this issue.
[Read more: Deadly Rates of Hypertension Target Pregnant and Postpartum Women]
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