The Cost of Poor Birth Outcomes in Employer-Sponsored Health Plans

Abstract

Costs related to maternity and infant care are a major source of cost for employer-sponsored health insurance plans. Poor birth outcomes represent significantly higher cost for both the mother and infant at all stages of care-prenatal, at birth, and postnatal. To the extent that poor birth outcomes relate to maternal behavior and are preventable, their very high and protracted cost may justify substantial health promotion activity by employers and insurers.