Policy Center Advocates Digital Therapeutics for Maternal Mental Health
Washington, D.C., Friday, 6 June 2025.
The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health highlights digital therapeutics as essential for improving care, urging CMS and ONC to better integrate technology in health systems to expand access.
Significance of Digital Therapeutics in Maternal Mental Health
The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health has articulated considerable support for the integration of digital therapeutics into the healthcare ecosystem, particularly for maternal mental health. Recent findings stress that digital therapeutics, which are being increasingly validated through clinical research, have significant potential to address the shortfall in mental health providers, especially among childbearing-aged women [1]. With their endorsement, the Center is pressing for CMS and ONC to prioritize the integration of these technologies to bolster health outcomes.
FDA Approval and Market Expansion
In April 2024, MamaLift Plus™, a digital therapeutic specifically designed to enhance maternal mental health, received FDA approval [2]. This marks a critical milestone given the persistent shortages in the availability of mental health professionals and the surging need for accessible care solutions [3]. By applying digital therapeutics, healthcare systems can potentially expand their reach, allowing for remote monitoring and supportive care, addressing an oversite in maternal mental health support [1][2].
Challenges and Integration Strategies
Despite their potential, the integration of digital therapeutics faces several roadblocks, including disparities in digital literacy, inconsistent EMR functionalities, and a lack of uniform billing frameworks [1]. The Policy Center recommends that CMS should establish standardized prompts and decision-making support within EMRs to ensure streamlined functions across different health settings, especially for detecting maternal depression and anxiety [2]. The Center argues that overcoming these integration barriers could harmonize data systems and enhance real-world evidence generation for research [2].
Promoting Digital Health Literacy and Access
The federal government is encouraged to introduce block grants enabling states to enhance digital literacy training, which can bridge the digital divide hindering effective mental health care delivery [2]. Such measures are crucial in making digital therapeutics more available and effective, especially in rural and underserved regions, where broadband infrastructure and digital education remain inadequate [1][2]. By prioritizing these components, CMS can lead systemic improvements across maternal mental health care.