Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are joining together to offer an unprecedented and truly unique opportunity to implement CenteringPregnancy® in Michigan.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan (BCBSM)

The BCBSM is focused on improving patient experience and outcomes for pregnant mothers and their newborn babies. BCBSM through the Physician Group Incentive Program (PGIP) is partnering with the Centering Healthcare Institute (CHI) to increase adoption of the CenteringPregnancy model.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

In August of 2023, the Governor and Michigan legislature passed HB 4437, which appropriated $5 million to increase access to the CenteringPregnancy model of prenatal care for Michigan families.

Evidence shows that the CenteringPregnancy model:

1. Reduces the rates of preterm birth, low birth weight babies, and NICU admissions.
2. Improves prenatal and postpartum visit compliance.
3. Improves access to high-quality and patient-centered maternity care for communities in Michigan.

Grant award details

Centering Healthcare Institute (CHI) will manage site selection and award distribution on behalf of this private-public partnership.

This grant will cover one year of implementation support from the CHI team, including:

• Centering365 implementation plan
  • Remote support from a dedicated CHI Advisor
  • Centering launch site visit
  • Site accreditation visit and determination.
  • Centering facilitation training for four participants per practice
• Patient curriculum materials and leader kit
• CHI marketing materials
• Annual site license fee

Please see the allowable expenses:

Qualification Criteria

Specialist offices providing obstetric care that will transition to include CenteringPregnancy. These specialists must be affiliated with a PGIP Physician Organization.

• Have adequate patient volume for group care (e.g. 200 or more obstetric patients per year per location for Centering Pregnancy).
• Have a group space identified that is appropriate for CenteringPregnancy (if the room is not dedicated, Centering will have priority use).
• All applicants must submit a completed Centering Readiness Assessment (RA) and meet the basic requirements for becoming and remaining a Centering practice. A follow-up call with CHI is part of the RA process.

How to Enroll

Please submit a Centering Readiness Assessment and schedule a follow-up call with Mary Fitzmaurice, CNM MSN. Please indicate that you are interested in being considered for this opportunity and mention participation in the PGIP Initiative.

Practices should be in contact with their PGIP Physician Organization about this opportunity to ensure that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is aware of their intent to participate for additional potential financial incentives being offered directly from BCBSM.

Expectations of Participants

Participants will be required to complete the following documentation before starting implementation.

• Master Site License
• Account Information Form
• Centering Service Agreement
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Submission Timeline

There is no deadline for application. Practices will be offered training on a first come first serve basis until 30 practice units have been identified and trained.

**The first 25 sites that contract with CHI by 9/30/24 will receive additional Billing & Coding support and up to $150,000 monetary support.

Questions

For questions regarding the Centering model, Centering readiness guidelines, licensure, and accreditation, please submit an inquiry to CHI.

For any questions regarding participation in this opportunity, please feel free to contact Mary Fitzmaurice at mfitzmaurice@centeringhealthcare.org.