title: Employer approaches to preconception care.
abstract: In recent years, the idea of preconception care-education, counseling, and interventions delivered to women before they become pregnant--has gained traction as a critically important health promotion opportunity for women and their families. Employers, as purchasers of health care and as providers of wellness services, have an important role to play in the promotion of preconception care. Large, self-insured employers can craft their medical benefit plans to include evidence-informed preventive health benefits such as preconception care. Employers can also design and implement worksite health promotion programs that address preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum health. And employers of all sizes can educate women and their partners on pregnancy health through tailored communication. This article provides an overview of the business case for preconception care and concrete steps employers can take to support and incent preconception care among their beneficiaries. The article also includes suggestions on ways providers and health professionals support employers in these efforts.
authors.affiliation: National Business Group on Health, Washington, DC 20001, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Georgette
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Flood
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health; D017132:Workplace