Q: On Question #16, does the option "Had a baby that was not born alive" include having had a miscarriage?

A: No. The option "Had a baby that was not born alive" refers to fetal deaths that occur at >20 weeks gestation .Miscarriage is defined as loss of pregnancy < 20 weeks gestation; therefore the correct response to Question 16 for a woman who only experienced a miscarriage prior to her current pregnancy is “None of the above".

Q: A pregnant woman scores as not at risk on the screening form and a few weeks later her situation changes. Now she would score differently if she were to be rescreened. Should we have her complete another screening form?

A: No. A pregnant woman should only have 1 screening form completed. If her situation changes, please call the program office (407-254-6822) to notify her change of status and to request services.

Q: For question# 20 “Trimester at first prenatal visit?”, what would be the appropriate answer for a transfer patient whose file has no Healthy Start screening form?

A: Scenario 1 – If patient is a transfer and states she already completed the form, indicate her response in her chart and do not complete another screening form. (Note: This is why it is important to always include the pt’s HS screening form in her chart!)
Scenario 2 – If the patient is a transfer and is unaware if she completed the screen, you may now complete the screen and indicate both on the form and in her chart what trimester she states she began prenatal care.

Q: Who is eligible for reimbursement for the Healthy Start screens?

A: Medicaid provides reimbursement for the Healthy Start prenatal risk screen to private providers who bill fee-for-service. A higher rate is reimbursed if the screening occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy. The financial infrastructure of county health departments and federally qualified health centers are operated on a cost-based reimbursement methodology; therefore, they are not eligible to receive Medicaid reimbursement for individual screens. (Note: Please call the Medicaid office for further questions/clarifications regarding reimbursement.)

Q: Who can administer the Healthy Start prenatal screening instrument?

A: Screening should be done by staff of prenatal care providers as a component of the nursing assessment during theinitial prenatal health care visit. This systematic approach will ensure that all pregnant women and infants are offered a screen in a manner that encourages screening consent, and that they are screened only once. 

Q: When does Florida statute require that Healthy Start risk screening be offered?

A: Screening should be conducted at the first prenatal visit.

Q: What are the basic responsibilities of prenatal health care providers?

A: To ensure that every pregnant woman is screened and referred as applicable to the Healthy Start program, Florida Statue 383.14(1)(a) requires that all pregnant women complete the Prenatal Healthy Start Screening Instrument at their first prenatal visit. This completed form is to be forwarded to the local county health department within 5 working days.

Q: Why, as a provider, do I need to know that my patients scored at-risk on the HS screening form?

A: By screening every  pregnant woman, those patients with risk factors can be identified. Based on the score and/or your professional judgment, you will then indicate on the form whether the patient should be referred to the Healthy Start program. These referred patients will then receive Healthy Start services that will educate and link them to available community services designed to improve their birth outcomes.

Q: Is it required to calculate and record the BMI on the Healthy Start screening form?