Healthy Beginnings Plus
If you’re an expectant mother who’s eligible for Medical Assistance, Healthy Beginnings Plus (HBP) makes sure that you and your baby get the best care possible. A healthcare team that includes a doctor or midwife, a nurse care coordinator and a special counselor will make sure you get the care you need during pregnancy and teach you to care for your new baby. This special program also provides childbirth, exercise, nutrition, and breastfeeding classes. For more information, please call (717) 544-4305 or email wellness@LGHealth.org.
HBP is provided through Medical Assistance. All pregnant women who currently have Medical Assistance are eligible for this free program. You may also apply for HBP if you do not have insurance, or your insurance does not fully cover your prenatal care.
As a participant in HBP, you will have a healthcare team dedicated to your individual needs. Your team will include a doctor or midwife, a nurse care coordinator and a social worker. The team will be available to you until your baby is 8 weeks old.
Program Details
If you’re pregnant, this is no time to go it alone. Our goal is to provide you with the care you need to have a healthy baby. So we’re with you every step of the way, to answer your questions, arrange for services you need, and much more. You and your baby deserve Healthy Beginnings Plus for a better start in life. To make sure you get the best care possible, your Healthy Beginnings Plus healthcare team provides personalized care that fits your unique needs.
The following services are available to you when you are enrolled in the HBP program:
- Free childbirth, breastfeeding and parenting classes
- One-on-one personal lifestyle education by a registered nurse
- Emotional support and counseling
- Assistance with transportation, food and housing
Your doctor or midwife will:
- Provide complete prenatal care during your pregnancy.
- Deliver your baby and care for your baby after birth.
Your nurse care coordinator will:
- Help you understand the changes in your body during pregnancy.
- Show you how your baby grows and develops during pregnancy.
- Come right to your home to provide healthcare education.
- Teach you how to eat well for yourself and your baby.
- Make sure you get the care you need during your pregnancy.
- Teach you all about caring for your new baby.
- Give you one-on-one counseling if you need to quit smoking.
Your special counselor will:
- Provide counseling in your own home or at the office.
- Help you with applying for Medical Assistance.
- Help you with your concerns about a place to live.
- Give you the emotional support you need.
- Offer drug or alcohol counseling if you need it.
- Assist with your transportation needs.
- Help with your concerns after the baby is born.
Additional program features
- Parenting classes: what you should know about being a parent.
- Childbirth classes: how to prepare for childbirth.
- Stop smoking classes: how to quit for yourself and your baby.
- Exercise classes: how to keep fit and get in shape after the baby is born.
- Nutrition classes: what you should eat during pregnancy and how to prepare the right foods.
- Breastfeeding classes: how to give your baby a healthy start in life.
- Stork’s nest purchases: your visits count towards getting clothing and merchandise for you and your baby.
You are the most important member of your team
As the most important member of the Healthy Beginnings Plus team, you will be responsible for keeping all your appointments, following the instructions of your healthcare team, and being totally honest with your doctor, nurse, and counselor. You are eligible for the Healthy Beginnings Plus program if:
- You are pregnant.
- Your family income meets state guidelines.
- You are eligible for Medical Assistance.
The following sites are available for HBP services:
- Lancaster General Hospital
- Columbia Health Center -Twin Rose Family Practice
- Columbia Health Center- May Grant Associates
- 531 N. Lime Street – May Grant Associates
- 531 N. Lime Street – OB/GYN of Lancaster, Inc.
- Diamantoni and Associates – 440 W. Chestnut Street and Suburban Outpatient Pavilion
- Walter L. Aument Family Health Center – Quarryville
- Intercourse, PA - May Grant Associates
We can help determine if you qualify for the program. To find out more, please call Healthy Beginnings Plus at (717) 544-4305 or email wellness@LGHealth.org.
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