Ethan Rhodes
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, providing healthcare services to 9.1 million veterans annually. While the VHA does provide maternity coverage and care coordination, it does not provide maternity wards in its hospitals. Maternity care services are provided at non-VA facilities, and the costs are covered by the VHA.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Maternity care availability | Covered by VA, but provided by non-VA providers in non-VA facilities |
| Maternity care coordination | Available via VA Maternity Care Coordinators (MCC) |
| Maternity care services | Primary care, exams, tests, ultrasounds, newborn care, lactation support, nursing bras, breast/chest pumps, maternity belts, lactation pads, human milk storage bags, nipple cream |
| Maternity care eligibility | If pregnant while separating from the military, may be eligible to extend military health care benefits through 6 weeks post-delivery |
| Number of VA health care facilities | 1,380, including 170 medical centers and 1,193 outpatient sites |
| Number of enrolled veterans | 9.1 million |
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What You'll Learn
- VA maternity care is provided by non-VA providers in non-VA facilities
- VA maternity care coordinators can answer questions on coverage and connect you to additional resources
- VA covers nursing bras, breast/chest pumps, and maternity belts
- VA maternity care includes primary care, exams, tests, ultrasounds, newborn care, lactation support, and more
- VA maternity care is covered for those eligible, but services may be provided in your community instead of a VA facility
VA maternity care is provided by non-VA providers in non-VA facilities
While the VA provides maternity coverage and care coordination, the care itself is provided by non-VA providers in non-VA facilities. This means that the VA will pay for the cost of your maternity care from a healthcare provider in their community care network. This is true even if you are not eligible to receive other VA healthcare.
Maternity care services are fully covered for those eligible, and VA Maternity Care Coordinators (MCC) are available at each VA facility to guide you through your care. MCCs can answer questions on coverage and connect you to additional resources. You can request items like nursing bras, breast/chest pumps, and maternity belts through your MCC at least two weeks before your due date. Other supplies, such as lactation pads, human milk storage bags, and nipple cream, can be requested through the VA Pharmacy.
To find a VA Maternity Care Coordinator near you, contact your VA provider or local Women Veterans Program Manager. If you don't already use VA healthcare, you can use online tools to find out if you are eligible. If you or your spouse are pregnant while separating from the military, you may be eligible to extend your military healthcare benefits through 6 weeks post-delivery.
In some cases, you may be eligible to receive specialty care from an in-network community provider if the wait time for an appointment at a VA facility exceeds the access standards. You can also appeal a denied request for medical treatment or care through community care by going through the VA's Clinical Appeals process.
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VA maternity care coordinators can answer questions on coverage and connect you to additional resources
While VA hospitals do not have maternity wards, they do provide maternity care coverage and coordination to help create a seamless maternity care experience. Each VA facility offers ongoing maternity care coordination through VA Maternity Care Coordinators (MCCs). MCCs are trained to support you and your unique needs as a woman veteran. They understand both veteran and maternal care, ensuring you receive trusted, specialised health support.
MCCs can help guide you through your care, answering any questions you may have about services and coverage throughout your pregnancy. They can also help you navigate healthcare services both inside and outside of the VA, and access care for your other physical and mental health needs. MCCs can also help you obtain supplies, such as nursing bras, breast pumps, maternity belts, lactation pads, human milk storage bags, and nipple cream.
If you are not already enrolled in VA healthcare, you can find out if you are eligible and enrol. If you or your spouse are pregnant while separating from the military, you may be eligible to extend your military healthcare benefits through six weeks post-delivery. To find a VA Maternity Care Coordinator near you, contact your VA provider or local Women Veterans Program Manager.
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VA covers nursing bras, breast/chest pumps, and maternity belts
Although I could not find specific information on whether Veterans Administration hospitals provide maternity wards, I did find that the VA provides maternity coverage and care coordination to help create a seamless maternity care experience. Each VA facility offers ongoing maternity care coordination via VA Maternity Care Coordinators (MCC), who collaborate with patients to guide them through their care.
The VA covers a wide range of maternity care services throughout pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. Notably, the VA covers nursing bras, breast/chest pumps, and maternity belts. Request these items through your MCC at least two weeks before your due date. You can also obtain other supplies, such as lactation pads, human milk storage bags, and nipple cream through the VA Pharmacy. It is important to note that VA benefits may not cover all services, including home deliveries, doulas, or experimental procedures. Your MCC can answer questions on coverage and connect you to additional resources.
If you or your spouse are pregnant while separating from the military, you may be eligible to extend your military healthcare benefits through 6 weeks post-delivery. However, continued coverage is not automatic when transitioning from the Military Health System (MHS). Thus, it is important to talk to your current provider before separation to understand what services may be available.
Maternity care services are sometimes provided in non-VA facilities by non-VA providers. To find a VA Maternity Care Coordinator near you, contact your VA provider or local Women Veterans Program Manager.
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VA maternity care includes primary care, exams, tests, ultrasounds, newborn care, lactation support, and more
The Veterans Health Administration provides care at 1,380 healthcare facilities across the United States, including 170 medical centres and 1,193 outpatient sites of care. It is committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment for all veterans.
Maternity care services are available through the VA and are covered for those eligible. This includes primary care, full physical exams, lab tests, prenatal education and screening, obstetrical ultrasounds, genetic tests, prescription drugs, labour and delivery, newborn care, lactation support, and support in the case of miscarriage or stillbirth. VA Maternity Care Coordinators (MCC) can help guide women through their care and answer questions on coverage and other resources.
While the VA covers the cost of maternity care, the care is provided by non-VA providers in non-VA facilities. VA maternity care coordinators also screen for social, physical, and mental health concerns, and provide resources for childbirth education. They can also offer lactation consulting during pregnancy and after delivery.
To find a VA Maternity Care Coordinator, contact your VA provider or local Women Veterans Program Manager.
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VA maternity care is covered for those eligible, but services may be provided in your community instead of a VA facility
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,380 health care facilities, including 170 medical centres and 1,193 outpatient sites. The VHA offers maternity care coverage and care coordination to ensure a seamless experience for eligible individuals. This includes care throughout pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period.
Maternity care services available through the VHA include primary care, exams, tests, ultrasounds, newborn care, and lactation support. The VHA also covers the cost of items such as nursing bras, breast/chest pumps, and maternity belts. These items can be requested through a Maternity Care Coordinator (MCC) at least two weeks before the due date. Other supplies, such as lactation pads, human milk storage bags, and nipple cream, can be obtained through the VA Pharmacy.
It is important to note that VA benefits may not cover all services, including home deliveries, doulas, or experimental procedures. However, even if individuals are not eligible for other VA health care, they may still be able to access certain services, such as care related to military sexual trauma (MST). All former service members and veterans are eligible for one year of free mental health care services following discharge, regardless of discharge status.
While maternity care is covered by the VHA, the services may be provided in the community rather than at a VA facility. This means that eligible individuals may receive care from non-VA providers in non-VA facilities. This approach ensures that individuals can access the care they need, even if it is not directly available through a VA medical centre.
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Frequently asked questions
No, maternity care is provided by non-VA providers in non-VA facilities. Each VA facility offers ongoing maternity care coordination via VA Maternity Care Coordinators (MCC), who collaborate with you to guide you through your care.
Maternity care services available through VA include primary care, exams, tests, ultrasounds, newborn care, lactation support, nursing bras, breast/chest pumps, and maternity belts. VA covers the costs of care for newborn children of women veterans for seven days after birth.
To find a VA Maternity Care Coordinator, contact your VA provider or local Women Veterans Program Manager.
