Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies... A Healthy Mississippi
Healthy Pregnancy
Taking care of yourself during pregnancy can help give your baby the best possible start to life. Regular visits with your healthcare provider, proper nutrition, regular exercise and avoiding harmful substances are some of the things you can do to protect your health and the health of your baby. Click the links below to learn more about how you can be healthy as you look forward to welcoming your baby:
Equipment Benefits for Breastfeeding Mothers
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Members may be eligible for breast pump coverage as part of their benefit plan. Download the Benefit Guide below to learn more about how to take advantage of the benefits for breast pumps.
View our Breast Pump Benefit Guide.
Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative
Following our successful 39 Weeks Initiative, implemented in January 2015, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi is continuing our Maternity Quality Model grounded in best practice guidelines with the goal of further ensuring quality care for Mississippi mothers and babies. The Maternity Quality Model will require all delivering Network Hospitals across the state to gain Baby-Friendly designation as part of criteria for achieving Blue Distinction for maternity care. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program that encourages and recognizes delivering facilities providing evidence-based maternity care with the goal of achieving optimal infant feeding outcomes and mother/baby bonding.
"Baby-Friendly Hospital Designation is a seal of quality care during the prenatal period, delivery and after baby arrives. Hospitals that attain this designation practice safe, family-centered care, including encouraging breastfeeding," said Casey Bland, Provider Quality Manager at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi. "Breast milk is uniquely suited to an infant's nutritional needs. But breastfeeding is about so much more than nutrition. It can be protective against childhood and adult obesity and childhood infectious diseases. Breastfeeding also lowers a mother's risk for developing Type II Diabetes and breast and ovarian cancer. The Baby-Friendly Hospital designation supports hospitals in giving all mothers the information, confidence and skills necessary to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies or feeding formula safely."
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi is partnering with CHAMPS (Communities and Hospitals Advancing Maternity Practices), an initiative funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, to assist our Network Hospitals in achieving the Baby-Friendly quality designation through education and training. The Baby-Friendly Hospital requirement aligns with our efforts to establish consistent, evidence-based care in the area of women's health. We also support members in choosing to breastfeed their babies by providing coverage for the breast pump that best meets their needs.
"We are committed to a healthy future for Mississippians, and that future starts with healthy children and healthy babies," said Bland. "We know that working with our Network Providers to give our children a healthy start in life is one of the greatest gifts we can give them."
Blue Wellness Coaching
Members with questions about exercise, nutrition and managing metabolic conditions (high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels) have access to our Blue Wellness Coaches at no extra cost. Call 1-800-932-7620 to be referred to a Blue Wellness Coach regarding your current health numbers and start a journey towards better health today!
What is a Blue Wellness Coach?
A Blue Wellness Coach provides personalized guidance to help you set and achieve your health goals. They will work with you on nutrition, exercise, stress management and chronic disease management, offering motivation and accountability to help you reach your goals.