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Pregnant? Your practical guide to NJ FamilyCare’s prenatal services
By Alice Gomstyn and Mark Pabst
When you find out you're pregnant, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, it helps to have people in your corner — relatives and friends who can support you, celebrate with you, pick out baby names and bring snacks when those pregnancy cravings hit. But as you start your pregnancy journey, don't forget you have another source of support: NJ FamilyCare, the state’s Medicaid program. Aetna Better Health of NJ, a NJ FamilyCare plan, is adapting to meet your pregnancy needs during this health emergency, including covered telehealth visits with your doctor, that will give you one less thing to worry about.
NJ FamilyCare plans can help you both before and after your birth. The Aetna Better Health plan, for example, gives you access to everything from top-notch breast pumps to childbirth classes to free rides to the provider. These benefits can help make life easier for moms-to-be and new moms.
"When it comes to your health and the health of your baby, the state of New Jersey and Aetna really want you both to be healthy," says Dr. Cheryl Reid, medical director of Aetna Better Health New Jersey. “So don’t hesitate to apply for and use your benefits once you’ve been approved. It’s important for you and for your baby.”
To learn more, let's take a look at some common questions expectant moms may have about prenatal care and the resources available through NJ FamilyCare and Aetna Better Health.
Am I eligible for NJ FamilyCare?
If you meet certain income requirements, you can qualify for NJ FamilyCare. Apply by going online to NJ FamilyCare's website. For more information about the office, call 1-959-299-3102 (TTY 711).
How do I start using my prenatal care benefits?
Aetna Better Health members can rely on care managers to help. "We're like the chief navigators," says Pam Persichilli, vice president of medical management for Aetna Better Health of New Jersey. "We will find out geographically where members live, look for resources, make that appointment, and shepherd an expectant mom through the process of getting started with prenatal care." For more information, Aetna Better Health members can call the phone number found on the back of their insurance card.
How does prenatal care help me and my baby?
Research shows that prenatal care has enormous benefits for both you and baby. "Everyone wants a healthy baby, and a big part of that is being a healthy mother," says Dr. Reid. “Seeing a provider regularly before you give birth makes sure you are both healthy.”
A health care provider can help you manage an existing medical condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, so you can avoid complications like low birth weight and premature birth. A provider can also give advice on how to quit certain habits like drinking alcohol, smoking and vaping, since those could hurt the health of your baby, too. And they can help prevent and treat conditions that can occur in expectant moms, like gestational diabetes.
Just as importantly, a provider is able to recommend or prescribe supplements like folic acid, which can help your baby develop properly. They can also tell you what prescription and over-the-counter drugs are safe to take during pregnancy.
How do I find providers and hospitals who take my insurance?
Contact your provider to make sure the hospital you want takes NJ FamilyCare. Aetna members, for example, have access to the top hospital systems in the state, including Hackensack Meridian, RWJ Barnabas, Capital Health, Hunterdon, Virtua, AtlanticCare and more. For a directory of ob/gyns, pediatricians, hospitals and more, contact your provider. Aetna members can call Member Services at 1-855-232-3596 (TTY 711). A directory is also available online at aetnabetterhealth.com/nj.
How do I get to the provider if I don't have a car?
No wheels? No problem. Some NJ FamilyCare plans like Aetna Better Health work with a company to provide members with access to free transportation. Magdaliza Aviles, the store manager for Aetna Healthcare Central, says she tells clients about the service all the time. "It's like a cab service but specifically for medical visits," she explains. To learn more, call LogistiCare at 1-866-527-9933 (TTY 1-866-288-3133). Transportation appointments need to be made three days in advance, and can be booked online at member.logisticare.com.
How do I get ready for labor and childbirth?
Childbirth and parenting education classes are covered by NJ FamilyCare. In your childbirth education classes, you will learn how to best prepare for the actual process of childbirth, including knowing the signs of labor, techniques for coping with pain, and when to call your provider or midwife. One-on-one support is also covered. Aetna Better Health members can get help from a doula, which is a trained guide who can advise you on labor and delivery ahead of time and help you feel more comfortable during labor.
I’m not sure if breastfeeding is right for me and my baby. What do I need to know?
Deciding whether or not to breastfeed is a personal choice. If you choose to nurse, research shows it helps build up baby’s immune system, provides an opportunity for you both to bond, and costs less than baby formula. A breast pump allows you to continue nursing even when you’re back at work and is covered through NJ Family Care. If you’re an Aetna Better Health member, you can receive a free Medela breast pump; just ask your provider for a prescription. To order a pump online, visit breastpumpsmedline.com.
For many new moms, getting the hang of nursing and pumping isn't easy, but you can get help with that, too. Services from lactation consultants — experts trained to help women breastfeed — are covered. Support is also available through New Jersey's Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. Learn more here.
Where can I get help if I'm feeling nervous and depressed?
Counseling is available through NJ FamilyCare's outpatient mental health benefit during or after pregnancy. A licensed professional can help with any anxiety you may feel about your pregnancy or with the many changes that come with being a new mother.
Why do I need to see my provider after I give birth?
Postpartum care is one of the easiest things to overlook once baby arrives. But it’s important, especially considering all the changes a new mom’s body has experienced in such a short time. Plan to visit your ob/gyn within a few weeks of giving birth, and again at 12 weeks. During these visits, your provider will check to make sure you’re recovering well from labor and birth and also discuss birth control options. Because this check-up is so important to a new mom’s health and well-being, some plans, such as Aetna, offer members a $15 OTC gift card just for completing the visit.
As a parent, you'll do anything for your children, and that includes getting the right care even before they're born. Aetna Better Health benefits help you do just that. "Using your prenatal benefits," says Dr. Reid, "is one of the most important things you can do for your health and the heath of your baby."
About the authors
Alice Gomstyn is a veteran parenting blogger and business reporter. She is an admitted sugar addict but plans to cut back on the sweet stuff and load up on veggies like never before. Bring on the broccoli!
Mark Pabst has worked as a writer and researcher in the health care field for almost two decades. When not writing about health he tries to stay healthy through activities like hiking, climbing and paddling in the far flung corners of his native state of California. However, despite his best efforts he still has a few unhealthy habits he can’t shake, most notably a weakness for jelly donuts.
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