Pregnancy and health
During this important time in your health, Healthy Blue – your MO HealthNet Managed Care Plan– offers programs and services to help you have a healthy pregnancy and birth. Read on to understand your benefits and learn about the resources available to you through our New Baby, New Life℠ maternity program.
First steps to take if you are pregnant
Once you find out you are pregnant, there are three things to do right away:
Make an appointment with your OB provider (obstetrician)
Regular checkups and screenings are important to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible. An obstetrician (OB) is a medical expert in pregnancy care. You will see this OB for prenatal visits before your baby’s birth.
If you do not have an OB, use our Find a Doctor tool to help you find one near you.
Talk with your OB about safe ways to stay on schedule with your prenatal care, such as telehealth versus in-office visits.
Join My Advocate
My Advocate® is a health program that makes your care personal. The program starts with a health screener meant to help us find out more about you. The answers you give during the screener inform us of how to provide you with the best level of support based on your health needs. You can choose how you want to receive useful health updates and reminders – by mobile app, website, or phone.
Create an account on the My Advocate website or on the My Advocate app to start.
Sign up for Healthy Rewards
You can earn gift cards just for going to your doctor visits. All you have to do is join the Healthy Rewards program first. To join, log in to the Benefit Reward Hub and visit the Healthy Rewards portal. You also can call 888-990-8681 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time.
Keep health coverage for you and your baby
Our goal is to keep you and your baby healthy. Your baby could lose coverage with Healthy Blue after birth, depending on your state’s rules. You can ensure they stay enrolled by taking these steps:
Call the Family Support Division (FSD) Information Center at 855-373-4636 or visit our website at dss.mo.gov to access the FSD Program Enrollment System online as soon as possible to report the birth of your child. The State will give your baby an identification number, known as a DCN or MO HealthNet number.
Call Healthy Blue Member Services at 833-388-1407 (TTY 711).
Pick a PCP for your baby in Healthy Blue’s network. Visit our Find a Doctor tool to search for providers.
Your baby will be enrolled in Healthy Blue
Call the MO HealthNet ManagedCare Enrollment Helpline at 800-348-6627 if you want a different MO HealthNet ManagedCare health plan for your baby. This is the only phone number you can use to change your baby’s MO HealthNet ManagedCare health plan. You cannot change MO HealthNet ManagedCare health plans for your baby until after your baby is born and has a MO HealthNet number. The Family Support Division staff cannot change your baby’s MO HealthNet ManagedCare health plan.
To be sure your baby gets all the services he or she needs, continue to use your current MO HealthNet Managed Care health plan and PCP until the new MO HealthNet Managed Care health plan is effective. If you want to change your baby’s MO HealthNet Managed Care health plan, the new MO HealthNet Managed Care health plan is effective the day following the change.
You also need to renew your health benefits
When it’s time to renew your MO HealthNet Managed Care coverage, the Family Services Division of Missouri Social Services will send you a yellow renewal form. You can renew your benefits by:
Mail:
Fill out the yellow form and mail it back as soon as possible. Be sure to fill out the form correctly. It’s important that the Family Services Division (FSD) has your current phone number and address.
Phone:
Call Family Support Division (FSD)’s Information Center at 855-373-4636, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central time.
The 24-Hour Nurse Help Line is ready to answer any health questions when your OB’s office is closed. Call seven days a week at 833-388-1407 (TTY 711).
Tools and resources
There are many places online to search for pregnancy resources and support. The Pregnancy and Beyond resource guide has information about your benefits, health guidance, and resources to help you keep yourself and your baby healthy in one guide.
Watch how your baby grows and changes inside the womb. Visit Health A to Z.
Breastfeeding is a healthy decision to make for your baby’s growth and development. Healthy Blue may cover the cost of a standard electric breast pump. Please contact Member Services at 833-388-1407 (TTY 711) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time to ask how you can receive a breast pump.
For more support with breastfeeding:
- Visit La Leche League International or call the La Leche League Breastfeeding Helpline at 877-452-5324.
- Visit the Infant Risk Center or call 806-352-2519.
My Advocate
Track your pregnancy and prepare for your baby’s birth.
SparkRecipes Healthy Recipes
Search more than 500,000 healthy recipes.
Show Your Love
Simple tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help you have a healthy pregnancy.
MyPreemie
Graham's Foundation provides support, advocacy, and research for preemies and their families. Their MyPreemie App supports families with preemies.
My NICU Baby
This app was created with the March of Dimes to provide answers, tools and support for the families of a NICU baby.
Community Resource Link
Get help finding food, jobs, housing, and paying bills.
Infant Safe Haven
Learn about safe-haven laws in your state and what to do if you cannot care for your newborn.
Visit the National Safe Haven alliance
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a program that provides resources and education to families with children. You can receive vouchers for food, health education, and peer counseling for moral support in parenting.
Visit the WIC website
A strong network of support can be helpful to handle the loss of a baby. Use these resources to find support:
- CJ First Candle — Support for families who have had a pregnancy or infant loss. Call 800-221-7437 (TTY 711). Grief counselors are on hand at no cost 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- National SHARE— Pregnancy and infant loss support. Call 800-821-6819 (TTY 711).
- MISS Foundation — Support and resources after the death of a child. Call 888-455-6477 (TTY 711).
You may have questions about sex, relationships, body changes, or birth control. When you get regular checkups, you can talk with your doctor. If you want to talk privately, ask your doctor if they can answer your questions without a parent in the room.
You also can find helpful information online:
• Teen health
• Am I in a healthy relationship?
• Learn more about reproductive health for teens.
• Learn more about quitting smoking at teen.smokefree.gov.
• Take charge of your health: A guide for teens
• What is teen health?