Search

print Print

From the Start – A Maternal Health Initiative

From the Start supports UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Florida enrolled mothers and their babies with specialty care to help improve birth outcomes.

 

The program’s 5 pillars work together to address maternal health needs from access and intervention to recovery. The pillars highlight the following enhanced, no-cost benefits available to Medicaid-enrolled mothers through their health plan:

  • Closing care gaps, breaking down barriers
  • Holistic support throughout the pregnancy
  • Early risk identification and intervention
  • Focus on quality
  • Postpartum well-being
Expand All add_circle_outline

Step 1: Assess and identify member needs
  • Provide “Healthy First Steps” case management by educating members about the program and its benefits
  • Encourage timely prenatal and postpartum care
  • Provide ongoing education for pregnancy and clinical conditions
  • Conduct various health assessments
    • Maternity Initial Risk Evaluation, Pregnancy trimester, GAD, pregnancy outcomes, PHQ9, post-partum screenings and/or other clinical assessment
    • Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment
    • More information and codes

 

Step 2: Connect members to vital resources
  • Community resources: WIC, healthy start coalition, housing, food pantries and legal services
  • Internal and external partners: Doula services, brave telehealth, doctor chat, dispatch health Optum obstetrics (OB) homecare services
  • Providers and treatments: OB providers, maternal fetal specialist, behavioral health providers and medication-assisted treatment 

Step 1: Submit Florida obstetrical risk assessment form (OBRAF) within 10 days

Earn $100 per eligible 2026 OBRAF. The form helps enroll patients in Healthy First Steps and flags high-risk needs early.

 

Submit the online form by signing in to the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal or visit the Florida provider forms and resources and fax the completed form to us at 877-353-6913.

Get the form
Step 2: Refer and reinforce Healthy First Steps

Encourage prenatal/postpartum care and connect members to social supports, doulas, telehealth and specialty care.

For HFS referrals call 800-599-5985, fax 877-353-6913 or email uhc_fl_fbhrcm@optum.com. Use subject line “HFS referral” and include your Medicaid ID and member’s date of birth.

 

Step 3: Screen with SBIRT when appropriate

Earn $100 incentive with SBIRT. Use at initial prenatal contact or when risk is identified. Payable SBIRT codes support screening and treatment referral.

 

You can search for providers by location or call the Optum substance use disorder helpline at 855-780-5955.

 

To refer a patient for free case management and support for medical/behavioral health, email care.coordination@optum.com.

 

Learn more about implementing SBIRT into your office 

Prenatal care
  • $25 for telling us they are pregnant within 30 days of provider confirmation
  • $25 for completing the HRA within 60 days of enrollment when identified as pregnant
  • $50 for a first-trimester prenatal visit
  • $25 per additional prenatal visit, up to $100

 

Postpartum care
  • $25 for taking the baby to a pediatric well-child visit within 30 days after birth
  • $25 for completing the postpartum visit with their doctor 7–84 days after delivery

Resources