Prevention program "Hello Baby" established nationwide in Germany

With the preventive program for pregnant women, "Hello Baby," premature births and infection-related birth complications should be minimized. Now the program has been established nationwide: 60 health insurance companies offer to their approximately 6.5 million insured since July 1, 2019, the additional tests contained therein.

The program was developed in cooperation of health insurance funds together with the Professional Association of Gynecologists, the Professional Association of German Laboratory Physicians and the AG Contract Coordination of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians and the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.

Births before the 37th week of pregnancy, with a birth weight of fewer than 2,500 grams, are a key obstetric problem. Medical risk factors, such as bacterial vaginosis and infection with toxoplasmosis, can lead to an increased premature birth rate. A large proportion of premature births can be prevented by timely intervention. The early detection and reduction of these risk factors are one of the most important goals of the prevention program.

The "Hello Baby" program, which is covered for the insured of the participating sickness funds, includes:

• Toxoplasmosis test, carried out immediately after the pregnancy is determined
• A study and a qualified microscopic assessment of a smear on bacterial vaginal colonization, performed in the period from the 13th to the 20th week of gestation
• An anogenital test for Streptococcus B bacteria, conducted between the 35th and the 37th week of pregnancy

As of July 1, 2019, the insured of the participating sickness funds can take advantage of the special benefits of the "Hello Baby" contract from participating gynecologists in the districts of 16 state sickness funds associations.

The full details in German can be found here.

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