Half of U.S. Counties Lack OB-GYN Despite Declining Birth Rates
Nearly half of U.S. counties have no practicing obstetrician or gynecologist, creating maternity care deserts despite declining fertility rates. The shortage stems from systemic workforce and reimbursement issues rather than demand pressures. Many rural and underserved areas lack adequate prenatal and delivery services, forcing pregnant beneficiaries to travel long distances for care. The gap affects Medicaid managed care organizations' ability to meet network adequacy standards and HEDIS measures for prenatal and postpartum care.
Medicaid MCOs face network adequacy compliance risks and quality metric penalties in areas without sufficient OB-GYN providers, particularly as maternal health becomes a regulatory and contractual focus.
Maternal · Managed Care
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