United States and territory policies supporting maternal and neonatal transfer: review of transport and reimbursement.
OBJECTIVE
Summarize policies that support maternal and neonatal transport among states and territories.


METHODS
Systematic review of publicly available, web-based information on maternal and neonatal transport for each state and territory in 2014. Information was abstracted from published rules, statutes, regulations, planning documents and program descriptions. Abstracted information was summarized within two categories: transport and reimbursement.


RESULTS
Sixty-eight percent of states and 25% of territories had a policy for neonatal transport; 60% of states and one territory had a policy for maternal transport. Sixty-two percent of states had a reimbursement policy for neonatal transport, whereas 20% reimbursed for maternal transport. Thirty-two percent of states had an infant back-transport policy while 16% included back-transport for both. No territories had reimbursement or back-transport policies.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of development of maternal transport reimbursement and neonatal back-transport policies negatively impacts the achievements of risk-appropriate care, a strategy focused on improving perinatal outcomes.
Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
E M
EM
Okoroh
Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
C D
CD
Kroelinger
Independent Consultant, Mosaic Consulting Group, LLC, Atlanta, GA, USA.
S M
SM
Lasswell
Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
D A
DA
Goodman
Independent Consultant, Mosaic Consulting Group, LLC, Atlanta, GA, USA.
A M
AM
Williams
Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
W D
WD
Barfield
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States