The Humana Beginnings program is designed to help reduce and manage pregnancy complications and the number of low-weight and premature babies. Women are automatically enrolled in Humana Beginnings when the health plan receives the first medical claims indicating they are pregnant and receiving prenatal care. Any pregnant Humana member can receive services from Humana Beginnings, but it is most actively involved with at-risk pregnancies. Wentworth, the Humana perinatal case manager, stayed in touch with Abernathy throughout her pregnancy, answering questions, providing support and reinforcing the care prescribed by her doctor. Women pregnant with multiples run a higher risk of delivering babies before they are fully developed.
Babies born prematurely are at risk for a host of complications.
Using perinatal managers like Wentworth, the program follows the mothers through pregnancy and reinforces the physicians prescribed care plan. It offers extra support, relieves the stress and gives the mothers someone to talk to, Abernathy said. Abernathy was considered an at-risk pregnancy because of the multiple pregnancy and the greater possibility of developing gestational diabetes, preterm labor and hypertension, Wentworth said. The case manager contacted Abernathy at the beginning of her pregnancy and kept in touch by phone every three to four weeks. As the due date got closer Wentworth contacted Abernathy weekly.