Apple Health covering prenatal vitamins

Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) is now covering both over-the-counter and prescription prenatal vitamins for all women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, including retroactive coverage through Oct. 1, 2015. Prenatal vitamins are covered in order to provide a daily vitamin supplement containing 0.4 to 0.8 milligrams of folic acid, according to the recommendations of the United States Preventative Services Task Force. WSHA Safe Deliveries Roadmap recommends taking prenatal vitamins, and this help with payment that allows women to begin taking vitamins prior to pregnancy is something WSHA has been advocating for. Folic acid in the first weeks of pregnancy can prevent significant defects in babies. (Tim Pfarr)