Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies: How Excellus BCBS Is Fighting Rising Maternal Health Risks

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield believes every mother deserves a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery.

Complications during childbirth have risen more than 30% nationwide, and according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications—nearly 80% of which can be prevented.

That’s why as a local nonprofit, Excellus BCBS, is committed to changing these outcomes through quality measures, innovative clinical programs, and strong community partnerships that ensure timely, equitable care for moms and babies.

Community Partnership in Action – CenteringPregnancy at Mohawk Valley Health System

This year, Excellus BCBS partnered with Mohawk Valley Health System’s (MVHS) CenteringPregnancy program to promote healthy pregnancies and strong families in Oneida County.

CenteringPregnancy provides prenatal care in a group setting, combining individual health checkups with additional time and attention. Expectant mothers meet with their provider and other women with similar due dates ten times during pregnancy. The program encourages participants to share experiences, learn from one another, and build lasting relationships.

“We are deeply grateful to Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for their generous grant support of our CenteringPregnancy program,” said Catherine Seoane-Archer, MVHS Senior Operations Manager for Women’s Health Services/OB. “This partnership allowed us to provide expanded prenatal education, meaningful peer support and additional time with care teams for expectant mothers in our community.”

Why It Matters

Early prenatal care and postpartum follow-up save lives. Yet one in four pregnant people miss recommended prenatal visits (National Center for Health Statistics), and nearly half skip their postpartum check—a critical time to monitor recovery and catch complications (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists).

CenteringPregnancy changes that. This group care model gives patients ten times more time with an OB compared to traditional visits. Participants track their own weight and blood pressure, then review results privately with their provider. Studies show it improves outcomes, reduces preterm births, and nearly eliminates racial disparities—while offering stronger support for minority groups.

“Regular prenatal care allows us to identify issues early and intervene so both mother and baby have th

e best chance for healthy outcomes,” said Kathleen Robischon, M.D., vice president of medical affairs and clinical services at Excellus BCBS.

Our Approach: Driving Better Outcomes

Excellus BCBS uses HEDIS quality measures, which are a set of standardized performance metrics used across the

healthcare industry to evaluate how well health plans and providers deliver care. They’re developed by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and are widely recognized as evidence-based benchmarks.

For maternal health, these measures help Excellus BCBS trace and improve critical aspects of care for moms and babies, such as:

Prenatal & Postpartum Care: Early visits and timely follow-up after delivery
Immunizations: Tdap during pregnancy
Mental Health: Postpartum depression screening

To turn quality measures into real care, Excellus BCBS supports:

Bright Beginnings: Nurse care managers and pharmacy support for high-risk pregnancies
Doula Support: Emotional and physical support for pregnant members
Community Partnerships: Expanding access to maternal care in urban and rural areas

“Maternal health impacts all of us. Together, we can ensure that care is equitable and high-quality,” said Dr. Robischon.

Learn more about Excellus BCBS programs that support healthy pregnancies, safe deliveries, and strong families by visiting ExcellusBCBS.com.