MCC finds barriers to prenatal care in Philadelphia and Norristown

MCC regularly explores the barriers--long waits, less providers-- faced by pregnant women on Medicaid seeking prenatal care in Philadelphia and in Norristown.

Philadelphia

In 2007, there were three managed care organizations (MCOs) that offer plans to Medicaid recipients: Keystone Mercy Health Plan, AmeriChoice, and Health Partners. In our Survey of Prenatal Care Availability for Medicaid Managed Care Recipients in Philadelphia, MCC found that:

• The directories were more than 85% inaccurate. 
• Listed practitioners frequently were no longer available; the phone number was wrong; or the site listed no longer offered prenatal care. 
• Out of 1,500+ listings, only 139 practitioners at 61 prenatal care sites were available. 
• The waiting time for an initial appointment averaged just above the two-week standard.     

The consequences of inaccurate information were recognized and policy changes have been implemented by some of the MCOs and the Department of Public Welfare to assure consumers have accurate and easily accessible information. 

The average wait time for an initial prenatal care appointment is now a shocking 11.5 weeks, just shy of a full trimester. Equally disturbing, of the 6 available practitioners, none accept the two new Medicaid plans, Aetna Better Health and CoventryCares.

With the closure of Mercy Suburban hospital, and the lack of other prenatal care options, there is only 1 clinic to serve all pregnant women on Medicaid in Norristown.  We need to do better for Norristown families!

Prenatal appointments in Norristown (all MCOs)

*These numbers reflect the actual number of practitioners among the five MCOs, excluding duplicates among their lists. 

Keystone Mercy Health Plan: Prenatal appointments in Norristown

AmeriChoice: Prenatal appointments in Norristown

*AmeriChoice’s online directory did not provide a radius search option. 

Health Partner's: Prenatal appointments in Norristown 

*In 2009, the search radius for Health Partners was extended to 15 miles because no providers appeared when searching within 5 miles. 

Aetna Better Health: Prenatal appointments in Norristown

This health plan was established in April 2010.

While Montgomery Hospital accepts this health plan, the practitioners providing care at the maternity clinic do not.

CoventryCares: Prenatal appointments in Norristown

This health plan was established in April 2010.

While Montgomery Hospital accepts this health plan, the practitioners providing care at the maternity clinic do not.

Each year we document the reasons that so many listings are inaccurate.  The pie charts below show the reasons for inaccuracies and their frequency.

Sister Speak Out 2010

Please visit our Childbirth Crisis News page to read recent articles or Take Action on important issues!

Past Research on Prenatal Care in Philadelphia

MCC and Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) conducted annual research on the Philadelphia Health Care Centers.  The City of Philadelphia operates health care centers for all residents regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status.  We have stopped collecting this data because, since 2008, the health centers centralized their scheduling system. While appointments are now more timely, patients may need to travel further for care at health centers outside their neighborhood.

Last Updated August 2010