Health Care Associated With Pregnancy

80 - Health Care Associated With Pregnancy (Rev. 1, 10-01-03) A3-3101.12, HO-210.13 Reasonable and necessary services associated with pregnancy are covered and reimbursable under the Medicare program. Because pregnancy is a condition sufficiently at variance with the usual state of health, it is appropriate for a pregnant woman to seek medical care. The increased possibility of illness or injury accompanying this condition is well recognized, and medical supervision is required throughout pregnancy and for a brief period beyond. Skilled medical management is appropriate throughout the events of pregnancy, beginning with diagnosis of the condition, continuing through delivery, and ending after the necessary postnatal care. Similarly, if the pregnancy terminates, whether spontaneously or for therapeutic reasons (i.e., where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were brought to term), the need for skilled medical management and/or medical services is equally as important as in those cases carried to full term. After the infant is delivered, items and services furnished to the infant cannot be covered and reimbursed under the program on the basis of the mother's eligibility.