17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) usage in a Medicaid managed care plan and reduction in neonatal intensive care unit days.

Purpose: To evaluate whether providing 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) to high-risk pregnant women who have a history of preterm delivery in a Medicaid managed care population reduces the rate of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, NICU length of stay, and associated costs.

Design: A 2004-2005 longitudinal review of birth outcomes in 24 pregnant women with a history of preterm delivery who were treated with 17P versus a control group.

Methodology: Intervention included offering 17P as a benefit to pregnant women who had a history of preterm labor and delivery and who were deemed to be appropriate candidates for this treatment by their physicians.