Record number of Michigan hospitals pursue Joint Commission’s Maternal Levels of Care verification
Fifty three Michigan hospitals have taken action to improve the quality and safety of maternal health services by pursuing The Joint Commission’s Maternal Levels of Care (MLC) verification, announced the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) on Aug. 22. Michigan has had more hospitals apply for verification than any other state, demonstrating the commitment to high-quality maternal health care.
“The Joint Commission commends the state of Michigan, the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, and Michigan hospitals for their commitment to excellence in maternal and neonatal care,” said Dr. Jonathan B. Perlin, president and CEO of The Joint Commission and Joint Commission International. “We look forward to working closely with Michigan hospitals to provide support and validation of their maternal capabilities and policies for formal level of maternal care determination.”
MLC verification is a comprehensive verification process, developed in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), to ensure hospitals meet rigorous standards for the care of pregnant and postpartum patients. This includes readiness, capability and effectiveness in identifying and managing complex maternal conditions, which may include transferring patients to a more appropriate care level as needed.
In April 2024, MDHHS announced it would begin providing quality payments to birthing hospitals fully participating in the Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM) and for applying for MLC verification. Payments are based on the number of Medicaid-covered births and each hospital’s maternal morbidity rate. These payments support the continuation of maternal quality initiatives in hospitals and their associated implementation costs. The quality payments are funded by $9 million in Michigan’s state budget dedicated to investing in maternal health improvement efforts.