State of Arkansas Extends Contract with U.S. Preventive Medicine

The State of Arkansas Department of Human Services has extended its contract for the BirthWait^® obstetrical and infant health management program for one year. 

Under the BirthWait^®  program, which began in June 2007, U.S. Preventive Medicine, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, U.S. Care Management, provides health management services to assist in improving birth outcomes and reducing costs associated with complicated pregnancies, pre-term births and high-risk infants among Medicaid participants in Crittenden, Phillips and St. Francis Counties, Arkansas.

“High-risk pregnancies and pre-term deliveries often result in poor health outcomes for mother’s and their infant’s health, and additional costs to the family and our communities,” said Roy Jeffus, director, Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Services.  “We are extremely pleased with the intensive obstetrical and high-risk infant health management services that U.S. Care Management has provided during the past year and are very confident that they will continue to help us reduce costs and improve health outcomes during the second year of the program.”

U.S. Care Management will continue to utilize its unique community-based approach to identify persons who are likely to have a high-risk pregnancy and at-risk infants up to one year of age.  Each person in the program is assigned a community-based registered nurse who provides care coordination, assessments, extensive education and monitoring.  BirthWait^®  nurses utilize a case management database system, Casewatch^® which includes guidelines and indicators for high risk pregnancy as well as other chronic conditions the mother may have including diabetes, hypertension, asthma and others.  The system offers the same capabilities for at-risk infants.  Nurses enter assessment information, develop individualized care plans, and document and report all contacts and interventions as well as the tracking of key indicators.

U.S. Care Management’s nurses conduct home visits and are supported by a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week nurse phone line including in and out-bound calls.  The program works closely with medical and community based providers, including the Antenatal and Neonatal Guidelines, Education and Learning System (ANGELS) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.  Obstetrical evidence-based practice guidelines prepared by ANGELS are used as the platform for care coordination, patient education and support.

“It has been an honor to support Arkansas Human Services Department’s BirthWait^® program and we are very delighted that they have expressed their confidence in our community-based program and services by extending this contract,” said Fred Goldstein, President and COO of U.S. Preventive Medicine. “We look forward to continuing with our community-based program and working with the State of Arkansas in its commitment to improve birth outcomes and reduce costs associated with complicated pregnancies and at-risk infants.”