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United States and territory policies supporting maternal and neonatal transfer: review of transport and reimbursement

Journal of Perinatology volume 36, pages 30–34 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

Summarize policies that support maternal and neonatal transport among states and territories.

Study Design:

Systematic review of publicly available, web-based information on maternal and neonatal transport for each state and territory in 2014. Information was abstracted from published rules, statutes, regulations, planning documents and program descriptions. Abstracted information was summarized within two categories: transport and reimbursement.

Results:

Sixty-eight percent of states and 25% of territories had a policy for neonatal transport; 60% of states and one territory had a policy for maternal transport. Sixty-two percent of states had a reimbursement policy for neonatal transport, whereas 20% reimbursed for maternal transport. Thirty-two percent of states had an infant back-transport policy while 16% included back-transport for both. No territories had reimbursement or back-transport policies.

Conclusion:

The lack of development of maternal transport reimbursement and neonatal back-transport policies negatively impacts the achievements of risk-appropriate care, a strategy focused on improving perinatal outcomes.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the data abstractors for contributing to the body of this work: Mary Charlotte Tate, Kim Tubbs Ramsay, Renyea M Colvin and Tracie Herold. The authors would also like to thank Elizabeth Martin for facilitating management and coordination of the data abstractors and researchers. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    E M Okoroh, C D Kroelinger, D A Goodman & W D Barfield

  2. Independent Consultant, Mosaic Consulting Group, LLC, Atlanta, GA, USA,

    S M Lasswell & A M Williams

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  1. E M Okoroh
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  2. C D Kroelinger
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Correspondence to E M Okoroh.

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Okoroh, E., Kroelinger, C., Lasswell, S. et al. United States and territory policies supporting maternal and neonatal transfer: review of transport and reimbursement. J Perinatol 36, 30–34 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2015.109

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