Illinois Medicaid Customers to Receive Midwife Services

Illinois Medicaid customers now have a new option for maternity care. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has launched coverage for licensed, certified midwife services, expanding access to care in homes and birth centers. State officials say the new provider type is designed to give families more choices during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum care. Supporters say midwives can play a key role in improving maternal health outcomes, especially in communities with limited access to traditional hospital-based services. The change marks another step in Illinois’ effort to broaden reproductive and maternal health care through Medicaid.