Does Medicaid Cover Birth Centers in Utah?

Utah Medicaid covers birth-center prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care when the facility is a licensed freestanding birth center enrolled as a Medicaid provider and the midwife is a Medicaid-enrolled Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) or physician. A CPM/LDEM is limited — not a covered Utah Medicaid provider type.

Utah Medicaid and Birth Centers — The Facts

Utah Medicaid (CHIP and traditional Medicaid) covers birth center deliveries when the birth center is a licensed freestanding birthing facility and is enrolled as a Medicaid provider. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are covered providers under Utah Medicaid. The coverage generally includes prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care.

Not every Utah birth center accepts Medicaid — this depends on whether the individual facility has enrolled as a Medicaid provider. Always verify directly with the birth center before assuming coverage.

What Medicaid Covers for Birth Center Births

Service	Covered?	Notes
Prenatal visits	✅ Yes	With CNM or physician
Labor & delivery at birth center	✅ Yes	If facility is Medicaid-enrolled
Postpartum care (6 weeks)	✅ Yes	Expanded postpartum coverage 2022+
Water birth	⚠️ Varies	Facility option, not billed separately
CPM (Certified Professional Midwife)	⚠️ Limited	Not a covered Utah Medicaid provider type

How to Verify Coverage

1. Call the birth center directly and ask “Are you enrolled as a Utah Medicaid provider?” This is the most reliable verification method.

2. Call your specific Medicaid plan (Molina, Select Health, or CHIP) and give them the birth center’s NPI number. Ask if the provider is in-network.

3. Ask your midwife’s NPI separately — the birth center and the individual midwife may bill separately, and both need to be enrolled.

Note: This is general information based on Utah Medicaid policy. Coverage details change. Always verify with your specific plan before scheduling care. This is not medical or legal advice. Last reviewed: 23 Aug 2026.