Making Marketplace insurance available for pregnancy earlier
Official title: The Impact of Including Pregnancy as a Qualifying Life Event for Marketplace Special Enrollment on Child and Maternal Health
Funded at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. · NIH-11321617 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at whether treating pregnancy as a qualifying life event helps pregnant people access Marketplace health insurance earlier to support prenatal care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Canton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 6, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $422,568 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111508-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11321617 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals who rely on Marketplace plans for insurance in states that use Marketplace coverage.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnant individuals who already have timely Medicaid or employer-based insurance may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
If pregnancy were a qualifying life event, more expectant families could enroll in Marketplace coverage sooner, potentially improving access to prenatal care. The project analyzes how current enrollment rules affect when pregnant individuals can get insured and receive maternity benefits. It will review policy, enrollment timelines, and real-world outcomes to understand barriers and opportunities for earlier coverage. Findings could inform policymakers and insurers about changes that help mothers and babies stay healthier.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to policy changes that help pregnant people obtain Marketplace coverage earlier, improving prenatal care access and maternal/child health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous analyses show enrollment timing affects access to care, but this project seeks to clarify the impact of including pregnancy as a SEP event.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC.
Canton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garabedian, Laura Faden — Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC.
- Study coordinator: Garabedian, Laura Faden
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.