Philips, Amerigroup, CareSource Georgia, and Peach State Health Plan Launch Remote Monitoring Program for High-Risk Pregnancies
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & ATLANTA – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, has partnered with Amerigroup, CareSource Georgia, and Peach State Health Plan to offer remote monitoring solutions for high-risk pregnancies in Georgia. The program aims to broaden access to quality healthcare in support of the Georgia Healthy Babies Act.
The initiative will initially focus on pregnant and postpartum individuals in 50 Georgia counties who have maternal hypertension or diabetes. Participants will receive remote patient monitoring and personalized health coaching from licensed clinical professionals to help prevent potential complications.
“Amerigroup is proud to collaborate on this important initiative, which aims to significantly improve maternal health outcomes in Georgia through innovative remote monitoring solutions,” said Dr. Truddie Darden, Chief Medical Director for Amerigroup Georgia.
“Peach State Health Plan is dedicated to moving the needle for Georgian moms by working with strong partners and implementing innovative solutions that support and improve their care,” said Laquanda Brooks, Senior Vice President, Population Health and Clinical Operations at Peach State Health Plan.
Maternal healthcare in the United States is a national concern, with a significant portion of pregnancies considered high risk. Studies show that 62% of pregnancies are identified as high risk, and there have been substantial increases in hypertension (81.3%) and diabetes (50%) during pregnancy [1, 2]. Additionally, many U.S. counties face maternity care shortages. By 2030, the supply of OB-GYNs in non-metro areas is projected to only meet 50% of demand [3].
Georgia’s Medicaid program covers nearly half of all births in the state. However, Georgia ranks 31st out of 40 states in maternal mortality [4], which has prompted state lawmakers to introduce legislation to support Medicaid-eligible families. These efforts include new remote technologies, such as the remote monitoring being offered through this partnership.
“Our members are working moms, moms who face challenges with childcare or transportation, and moms in rural Georgia who have limited access to healthcare,” said Lisa Pennington, senior manager of population health, CareSource Georgia. “By bringing care right to their homes through connected devices, we’re offering them timely, personalized healthcare that can make a real difference in the health and well-being of moms and babies, no matter where they live in the state.”
Eligible pregnant women with maternal hypertension or diabetes will be able to opt into the program and receive appropriate monitoring devices. Philips-licensed nurses, dietitians, and certified diabetes care and education specialists will guide participants on using the devices and schedule coaching calls. Clinicians will receive alerts if a participant’s blood glucose or blood pressure is outside the normal range and will then provide personalized coaching to help identify any additional symptoms and determine whether a provider visit is necessary. This remote monitoring continues for up to 90 days after childbirth.
“Philips is committed to improving maternal healthcare and ensuring that all expectant women have access to high-quality prenatal and postpartum care,” said Jennifer Law, Maternal Health Leader at Philips. “It takes an ecosystem of innovators, providers, payers, and policymakers working together to ensure a healthy pregnancy and start for every mom and child.”
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4728153/ [2] Nowhere to Go: March of Dimes 2024 Maternity Care Deserts Report US [3] Why Health Care Is Harder to Access in Rural America [4] 2024 March of Dimes Report Card for Georgia
About Amerigroup Georgia
Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia focuses on enhancing healthcare access and quality for over 500,000 low-income Georgians. They offer innovative care management programs that are accessible, comprehensive, and patient-centered, promoting active participation in their healthcare through health education.
About CareSource Georgia
CareSource is a non-profit managed care organization dedicated to providing accessible healthcare to 430,000 Georgians. They offer comprehensive health insurance plans, including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace, and Medicare, intending to improve the health and well-being of its members. Further, they provide innovative programs that address social determinants of health, health equity, prevention, and access to care.
About Peach State Health Plan
Peach State Health Plan is a Care Management Organization that meets the healthcare needs of Georgians through various health insurance solutions. They work with Georgia Families to provide Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® coverage. They also offer Ambetter, their federal insurance marketplace plan, and Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) through WellCare.
About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company that focuses on improving people’s health and well-being through innovation. The company delivers personal and professional health solutions by leveraging advanced technology and consumer insights. This results in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, and patient monitoring. Philips employs around 67,800 employees in over 100 countries.
