Bright Start® Maternity Program
If you're a new or soon-to-be parent, AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware can help with resources, support, and provide educational material and information you need during your pregnancy and after your baby is born.
Early and consistent prenatal health care before your child's birth is a key to having a healthy baby. Bright Start® by AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware provides resources and education to moms-to-be for making healthy choices for themselves and their unborn baby. Any member who is pregnant can join the Bright Start program at no cost.
The AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware Bright Start Booklet (PDF) is an all-inclusive booklet filled with important information for pregnant women and new moms. This educational booklet is a valuable resource in pregnancy and used while working with your Bright Start care coordinator to ensure you have all the helpful information needed during pregnancy!
With the Bright Start program, we can:
- Help you choose a doctor who is right for you and your baby.
- Give you information on prenatal vitamins and eating right; your body needs extra vitamins, like folic acid (a B vitamin), when you are pregnant.
- Work with your provider to make sure you get the care you need.
- Work with you to ensure you have dental care having healthy teeth and gums is very important during pregnancy.
- Assist you with getting resources to help you have a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.
- Help you get into Home Visiting program.
- Connect you with a doula.
- Assist you with getting nutritional home delivered meals if qualified.
Download our Bright Start Booklet Here (PDF)
Join Bright Start Today
Bright Start is available at no cost for all pregnant members. For more information or to enroll, call one of our Bright Start associates today! Call 1-833-669-7672 (TTY 1-855-349-6281).
Bright Start Incentives
- A $30 gift card for completing four visits by 26 weeks.
- A portable crib or car seat for going to eight prenatal appointments by 38 weeks.
- A $30 gift card for going to your postpartum appointment within 7 to 84 days after giving birth.
Keys to Your Care®
The Keys to Your Care® program is here to help you have a healthy pregnancy and baby. We’ll send you text messages every week during your pregnancy and for the first few months after your baby is born.
Text message topics include:
- How our Bright Start maternity program will support you during your pregnancy
- Important prenatal appointment reminders
- Appropriate educational information for each stage of pregnancy
- Tips for eating right and avoiding certain foods
- The importance of using your dental benefit during pregnancy
- Scheduling free rides to your doctor’s appointments
- Joining a tobacco quit program if you smoke
- Preparing for your baby’s arrival
- Labor signs and symptoms
- Important information to know after your baby is born
Text DEMAMA to 85886 to join the Keys to Your Care program. Or call a member of our Bright Start® team at 1-833-669-7672 (TTY 1-855-349-6281). We're available from 8 a.m. to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
Finding the right provider
Having a healthy pregnancy is one of the best ways to promote a healthy birth. Getting early and regular prenatal care improves the chances of a healthy pregnancy. This care can begin even before pregnancy with a pre-pregnancy care visit to a health care provider.
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and need help finding the right provider for you, please call your Bright Start team, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1-833-669-7672 or call Member Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-844-211-0966 (TTY 1-855-349-6281).
You can visit the AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware website to find a provider as well
Dental benefit for pregnant women
We know how important preventive dental visits are for pregnant women. If you're a AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware member, you have dental coverage before, during and after your pregnancy.
- AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware members ages 21 and older are enrolled in the Medicaid dental benefit. It includes $1,000 of coverage per year for dental services. The benefit can be used towards services include cleanings, x-rays, cavity fillings and more.
- Each visit costs a $3 copay
For help finding a network dentist in your area, visit our Find a provider page or call 1-833-669-7672 (TTY 1-855-349-6281).
Don’t forget that healthy teeth are an important part of a healthy pregnancy. Periodontal disease is prevalent in pregnant women and can lead to many health complications. Keep periodontal disease under control by following these tips:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
- Floss daily.
- Get a dental check-up and teeth cleaning at least twice a year.
- Avoid smoking and other forms of tobacco, candy, and sugary foods.
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
Dental services are covered for children eligible for Medicaid through age 20
- Preventive care: dental cleanings, fluoride, sealants, x-rays, etc.
- Restorative care: fillings, crowns, etc.
Dental services are covered for children eligible for the Delaware Healthy Children Program (DHCP) through age 18.
For questions about your dental benefits, call Delaware Medicaid Customer Relations at 1-800-372-2022 or 1-302-571-4900.
Vision benefits for pregnant women
Eye care benefits are available for members of all ages. This includes one routine eye exam every 12 months. These members are also eligible for eyeglasses or contacts every 12 months. Call your or your child’s eye doctor to schedule a routine eye exam. Call AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware Member Services at 1-844-211-0966 (TTY 1-855-349-6281) for more information.
Smoking while pregnant or planning a pregnancy?
Wherever you are in your pregnancy, quitting smoking will benefit your baby. Smoking during pregnancy makes you three and a half times more likely to have a low-birth-weight baby than women who don’t smoke. This includes all types of smoke, including e-cigarettes and marijuana. The good news is, the sooner you stop smoking, the more you increase your chance of having a healthy baby.
Mental health and substance use treatment resources
Did you know that AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware also includes mental health services? We cover medically necessary mental health services in a variety of care settings including telehealth services. This applies to all members with mental health needs from mild to severe.
You can earn CARE Card Rewards
AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware will add CARE Card rewards dollars to your card if you do things that help you stay healthy. View AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware CARE Card program for more information.
Have you delivered
Important things to do before you leave the hospital:
- Enroll your baby in the AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware health plan.
- Contact your Medicaid caseworker to complete enrollment for your baby.
- Make a follow-up appointment with your baby’s doctor.
- Make an appointment with your OB-GYN for your postpartum visit. It must be 7 to 84 days after delivery to be eligible for the post-partum reward.
- Call Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), to notify them you have delivered and make an appointment. They are also a great breastfeeding resource in your community.
Stay Connected
AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware mobile app
Our mobile app gives you access to your health information anytime, anywhere. It’s available for iPhone and Android smartphones.
Visit the Google Play™ store or the Apple App Store ®. * The app is free to download.
Your online account
Managing your health is as easy as going online. Visit AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware and log into your AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware online account, also known as the member portal. You can also access your health history and see a list of your current medicines.
*App Store is a service mark of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play is a trademark of Google, LLC.