FEATURED ARTICLE

“Mandatory reporting of perinatal substance use in Minnesota has been identified previously as a barrier to pregnant people presenting for care or disclosing untreated or undertreated substance use disorders. Thanks to three years of advocacy by a team of Minnesotans hoping to improve access to care for pregnant people experiencing substance use disorders, mandatory reporting of perinatal substance use will be changing on July 1, 2021. Providers in healthcare and social services who are caring for pregnant or recently pregnant people will not be required to report the use of controlled substances for non-medical purposes at initial identification. This will also allow patients and providers to develop a safe working relationship where providers can help patients access the care they need when they are ready and able to do so. Please note – if a patient is lost to care, despite attempts to contact them for follow-up, reporting is required at that time, as the goal of this legislative change is to increase engagement in prenatal care, even with active substance use disorders, as this has been shown to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications”.

Cresta Wedel Jones, MD FACOG, FASAM | Associate Professor
University of Minnesota Medical School
M Health Fairview | Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health