How including pregnancy as a qualifying life event can improve maternal and child health

The Impact of Including Pregnancy as a Qualifying Life Event for Marketplace Special Enrollment on Child and Maternal Health

NIH-funded research Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. · NIH-11084516

This study is looking at how recognizing pregnancy as a special reason to sign up for health insurance could help expectant moms get the prenatal care they need, especially for those who don’t qualify for Medicaid or employer insurance.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHarvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Canton, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11084516 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effects of recognizing pregnancy as a qualifying life event for special enrollment in health insurance marketplaces. It aims to understand how this change could enhance access to timely prenatal care, which is crucial for improving health outcomes for both mothers and children. The study will analyze current enrollment policies and their impact on pregnant individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid or employer-sponsored insurance. By examining the barriers faced during enrollment, the research seeks to propose policy changes that could facilitate better access to necessary health services.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant individuals who are seeking health insurance coverage and are currently outside the open enrollment period.

Not a fit: Patients who are already enrolled in health insurance plans that provide comprehensive prenatal care may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to prenatal care for pregnant individuals, resulting in better health outcomes for mothers and their children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that policy changes in health insurance enrollment can significantly improve access to care, suggesting that this approach may also yield positive results.

Where this research is happening

Canton, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.