Births and MaineCare status in Maine

Medicaid plays an important role in providing adequate prenatal care. Babies born when the birthing parent has health insurance have better health than infants whose mothers did not have insurance, as they are likely to not receive timely prenatal care if they lack health insurance.  Maine offers MaineCare for income-eligible pregnant women as soon as they know they are pregnant and for 12 months after the birth. Medicaid Role in Maternal Health 

In Maine in 2025, 37% of births were covered by MaineCare. There were 12,140 births in the state and 4,498 births were covered by MaineCare. Nationally, in 2023 (the most up to date data available), Medicaid paid for 41.5% of births.

There was considerable variation by county ranging from 24% to 59%. MaineCare covered a lower percentage of births in York (24%), Sagadahoc (26%), and Cumberland (27%). MaineCare covered the highest percentages of births in Washington (59%), Piscataquis (52%), and Androscoggin (51%). 

Medicaid plays an important role in providing adequate prenatal care. Babies born when the birthing parent has health insurance have better health than infants whose mothers did not have insurance, as they are likely to not receive timely prenatal care if they lack health insurance.  Maine offers MaineCare for income-eligible pregnant women as soon as they know they are pregnant and for 12 months after the birth. Medicaid Role in Maternal Health 

In Maine in 2025, 37% of births were covered by MaineCare. There were 12,140 births in the state and 4,498 births were covered by MaineCare. Nationally, in 2023 (the most up to date data available), Medicaid paid for 41.5% of births.

There was considerable variation by county ranging from 24% to 59%. MaineCare covered a lower percentage of births in York (24%), Sagadahoc (26%), and Cumberland (27%). MaineCare covered the highest percentages of births in Washington (59%), Piscataquis (52%), and Androscoggin (51%).