The First Steps Program provides medical insurance (prenatal medical, dental and vision care), Maternity Support Services (MSS), Infant Case Management (ICM), Childbirth Education (CBE) and many other services to eligible women and infants.
Learn more about each service by clicking on the links below:
The First Steps Program uses your income to see if you qualify. You can apply to see if you qualify as soon as you know you are pregnant.
Income Guidelines:
Add one for each unborn child
| Family Size | Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | n/a |
| 2 | $2,247 |
| 3 | $2,823 |
| 4 | $3,400 |
| 5 | $3,976 |
| 6 | $4,553 |
| 7 | $5,130 |
| 8 | $5,706 |
| 9 | $6,283 |
| 10 | $6,859 |
| 11+ | $577 each |
You may be eligible even if you are working, in the military, a single parent, or living with your parents. The program is available to both citizen and non-citizen pregnant women and for newborns through age one.
For eligible women, the following medical services are available during pregnancy and for two months after your pregnancy ends:
For the baby, the following medical services are available:
Transportation to and from all medical appointments is available and interpreter services are also available.
Use the Benefit Finder to see if you qualify and apply online!
Maternity Support Services, also called MSS, are available to eligible women anytime during pregnancy and continue 2 months after the pregnancy ends. MSS is offered in addition to the medical and prenatal care. Services are provided by a team made up of community health nurse, dietitian, counselor and community health workers. All clients are screened for possible pregnancy risk factors. After a screening is completed, the MSS team creates a personalized care plan for each client. All clients receive advice on having a healthy pregnancy, parenting information and, if needed, will be helped to connect with other community services.
Here are some examples of topics that might be discussed during an MSS visit:
MSS appointments can be held in your home, an office, or another safe place.
Transportation to and from all MSS appointments is available and interpreter services are also available.
Use the First Steps MSS/ICM search tool to find a provider in your area.
Infant Case Management, also called ICM, is available for eligible infants and their parent(s) from the time the baby is 3 months old through his or her first birthday. An Infant Case Manager will give you information, and if needed, help to access medical, social, educational, and other services for you and your baby. ICM includes:
Transportation to and from all ICM appointments is available and interpreter services are also available.
Use the First Steps MSS/ICM search tool to find a provider in your area.
Eligible pregnant women and their support person(s) can attend group childbirth education (CBE) classes for free when the classes are taught by a DSHS approved CBE educator. CBE usually starts during the 3rd trimester and the topics include:
Transportation to and from all CBE appointments is available and interpreter services are also available.
To find a childbirth class in your area, call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.
The following additional services are available through the First Steps Program:
Family Planning
After 2 months post pregnancy, women receive a Medical ID card for family planning and/or birth control. The family planning coverage will continue for 10 months after other First Steps medical and MSS benefits end.
Alcohol and Drug Services
The First Steps Program can help Medicaid eligible women access alcohol and drug assessments, as well as treatment services. Pregnant and parenting women are a priority population for these services through the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. For more information about these services, call 360-725-3732.
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