This program provides MC+ healthcare coverage, including sixty- day postpartum coverage, for pregnant women who have family incomes less than 185% of the federal poverty level for their household size. Once eligible, the coverage continues through the postpartum period despite subsequent increases in income.
Federal regulation 42 CFR 435.223 allows, at a state's option, provision of Title XIX benefits to pregnant women who would be eligible for AFDC cash benefits as if in fact the child had already been born. SCS for Senate Bill No. 588 enacted in the Second Regular Session of the Missouri 80th General Assembly mandates that this group of persons be given Title XIX coverage. Thus, this program became effective in Missouri August 13, 1980.
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) P.L. No. 99-272 provides for Title XIX eligibility for pregnant women who would be eligible for AFDC on the basis of the income and resource requirements, and for 60-day postpartum Title XIX coverage for all pregnant women who received benefits under the Medicaid For Pregnant Women Program (MPW). The effects of these changes are the removal of Deprived of Parental Support as an eligibility factor for the Medicaid For Pregnant Women program and the expansion of Medicaid coverage for a 60-day postpartum period. House Bill No. 518 enacted by the 84th General Assembly mandates these changes in Section 208.151 RSMo. An emergency clause made this part of the law effective upon passage and approval. House Bill No. 518 was signed into law July 7, 1987.
Section 208.151. 1. (12) RSMo beginning January 1, 1988, provides restricted Medicaid Coverage, including 60-day postpartum coverage, for pregnant women who have family income less than 100% of the federal poverty level.
Senate Bill No. 765 enacted by the 85th General Assembly mandates changes in Section 208.151 RSMo. Beginning July 1, 1990, Missouri provides Medicaid coverage, including 60-day postpartum coverage for pregnant women who have family income less than 133% of the federal poverty level, and provides continuous eligibility for pregnant women determined eligible under the Medicaid For Pregnant Women program when subsequent changes in income cause the claimant to become ineligible. The bill also eliminates resources as an eligibility factor.
HB 564 enacted changes effective January 1, 1994, providing Title XIX coverage to pregnant women with family income less than 185% of the federal poverty level.
Effective February 1, 1999 Missouri began providing two years of coverage for women's health services to uninsured women losing MC+ for pregnant women (MPW) eligibility 60 days after their pregnancy ends. To be eligible for the extended women's health services, MPW eligibility must have ended on or after January 31, 1999. A Medicaid waiver under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act authorizes this coverage.
Effective July 1, 2002 Missouri House Bill 1111 reduced the coverage for women's health services 12 months.
In June of 1999 Missouri renamed the Medicaid program for all family eligibility groups MC+.