About the model

The Minnesota Department of Human Services Office of the Medicaid Medical Director (OMMD) is implementing the Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) model. TMaH is a value-based payment model designed to address gaps in maternal health access, quality, and whole-person care through Medicaid. Minnesota was one of 15 states awarded in 2025 through the Centers for Medicaid & Medicaid Services (CMS). 

The model will pilot in Hennepin County.

Medicaid is called Medical Assistance (MA) in Minnesota. MA covers essential pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care through 12 months after delivery. In Minnesota, MA covers about:

  • 4 out of 10 births in Hennepin County (where the model is being piloted)
  • 7 out of 10 births to those who identify as Native American/Alaska Native
  • 8 out of 10 births to those who identify as Black

Minnesota is receiving support from CMS to help prepare partners to transition to value-based payment (VBP).

Infant with mother

Maternal Health in Minnesota

Like the rest of the nation, Minnesota is working to address a maternal health crisis. Since 2023, many of Minnesota’s maternal health outcomes have worsened.

More Minnesotans faced increased chances of:

  • babies born early,
  • infant death, and
  • low-risk cesarean birth, and
  • pregnancy and delivery-related complications and death.

Most maternal deaths are preventable. But Minnesota's maternal deaths have increased in recent years.

This crisis is impacting some communities more than others. Most of these deaths occurred in the metro region. That includes both Hennepin and Ramsey County. Black or Indigenous patients faced much higher chances of maternal death in our state. And this gap continued to widen from previous reports.

Mental health conditions and injury were leading causes of these deaths.

Minnesota ranked 42 out of 47 states reporting for severe maternal morbidity.

That measures negative outcomes from labor and delivery. Our percentage of babies born early also increased.

Model Details

The TMaH model aligns with many existing community, county, and Tribal  maternal health efforts. TMaH is also partnering with Minnesota Managed Care Organizations, the Integrated Care for High Risk Pregnancies (ICHRP) program and the Innovations for Maternal Health Outcomes in Minnesota (I-MOM) program, and Hennepin County Public Health. OMMD is working with partners, providers and community to create a sustainable design. Lessons learned and promising strategies may be scaled up to other parts of the state.

View the TMaH model patient journey map for more information.

TMaH will provide funding to transform maternal care in three main areas:

Access to care, infrastructure and workforce

  • Strengthen partnerships
  • Provide education
  • Increase access to birth centers and birth workers
  • Share data

Quality improvement and safety

  • Set quality and safety protocols
  • Strengthen patient decision-making
  • Improve timeliness of care
  • Enhance care experience

Whole-person care delivery

  • Increase risk screenings, referrals, and follow-up for:
    • mental health
    • substance use
    • social needs
  • Expand coverage
  • Improve use of home visiting, home monitoring, telehealth, and mobile units
  • Customize care to every patient

Model Timeline

Payment Model

The VBP model is being developed in collaboration with CMS for all 15 TMaH states. There will be payment phases to transition to VBP.

View the Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model Payment Design Fact Sheet

Phase 1 - 2027–2028

TMaH will share funding Provider Infrastructure Payment (PIP) dollars with participating providers and locations. These funds are to improve care delivery and data infrastructure. They will support preparation for participating organizations to transition to VBP. During this period, DHS will also provide training and technical assistance, and CMS will finalize the VBP payment strategy.

Phase 2 - 2029

Participating organizations will begin transitioning to a VBP model. CMS is considering requiring implementation of a retrospective episode of care model beginning January 1, 2029. The model will incentivize delivery of whole-person care, quality maternal health care, and reduced costs over the next 5 years.

Phase 3 - 2030+

Participating locations will implement final VBP model specifications. Prospective payments (monthly case rate) will likely be delayed for the first two years of VBP implementation (2029-2030). The proposed VBP strategy will likely phase in downside risk over time. Final model specifications are still forthcoming from CMS.

Contact us

We invite partners and community to meet with us. Please share your maternal health priorities and experiences.

Contact us

Join the listserv

Email your name and role to transformingmaternalhealthmodel.dhs@state.mn.us with the subject line “Join the TMaH listserv”. We use this list to share information and updates about TMaH and opportunities for involvement.

Join the TMaH listserv

Acknowledgement of Support

This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $17 million with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS.

The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.