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Florida Blue Expands Maternal Mental Health Support for High-Risk Mothers

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Florida Blue expanded access to maternal mental health support for high-risk pregnant and postpartum members through a partnership with Florida Blue and Canopie, a digital care platform. The program will offer eligible members free access to emotional wellness resources during pregnancy and after childbirth. 

The expansion, announced during Maternal Health Week last week, comes as maternal mental health concerns continue to rise across both Florida and the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental health conditions are now the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States, with more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths considered preventable. 

Florida Blue says nearly 65% of its pregnant members in 2025 were classified as high-risk due to factors such as chronic health conditions, maternal age, and limited access to maternal care resources. Those pregnancies are linked to a 58% greater likelihood of adverse outcomes and a 21% increase in health care costs. 

“The statistics are deeply troubling, and the urgency has never been clearer,” said Dr. Kelli Tice, vice president of medical affairs and chief health improvement officer at Florida Blue. “Maternal mental health is also an urgent concern, with consequences that can span generations.”

The initiative also highlights broader challenges facing mothers in Florida. According to an issue brief, nearly 24% of moms in the state received inadequate prenatal care, while almost 20% of Florida counties are considered maternity care deserts by the March of Dimes. 

Initially piloted in 2024, Canopie officially launched for eligible Florida Blue members in January 2026 and is now expected to reach more than 10,500 members statewide. The app-based platform provides emotional, mental, and physical health support through virtual coaching, peer support, self-guided programs, care coordination, and online classes available in multiple languages. 

Florida Blue has reported promising outcomes from the program so far. Among participants with elevated depression symptoms, 79% experienced clinically significant mood improvement, while 98% of users who completed the self-guided program reported improvements in emotional health. 

For Florida Blue member Madeline, the program provided support during an unexpectedly stressful pregnancy.

“Being pregnant with my third baby, I didn’t expect to feel so much anxiety this time — but Canopie gave me a calm, outside perspective I couldn’t get from family or friends,” said Madeline in a press release.

Beyond insurance coverage, the company says it is also investing in maternal health through the Florida Blue Foundation. This year, the foundation awarded $3.5 million in grants to nine nonprofit organizations focused on services such as doula care, in-home visits, and maternal mental health support.

For more information, visit HERE.

Ava McDonnell
Ava McDonnell is the Digital Content Creator/Editorial Manager for Central Florida Lifestyle Magazine while also earning her bachelor's degree in English at the University of Central Florida. Her work has been featured in UCF's The Charge and Her Campus UCF. She also has experience in editing using AP Style and SEO guidelines. Located in Clermont, Ava has always had a passion for learning about people's lives and sharing accurate stories with the world. She is dedicated to getting the job done right while making content interesting for readers. Aside from writing, you can find her indulging in the great outdoors with the people she loves. Whether it is hiking, taking photographs, or trying new activities, she is up for almost anything.

Written by Ava McDonnell

Ava McDonnell is the Digital Content Creator/Editorial Manager for Central Florida Lifestyle Magazine while also earning her bachelor's degree in English at the University of Central Florida. Her work has been featured in UCF's The Charge and Her Campus UCF. She also has experience in editing using AP Style and SEO guidelines.

Located in Clermont, Ava has always had a passion for learning about people's lives and sharing accurate stories with the world. She is dedicated to getting the job done right while making content interesting for readers. Aside from writing, you can find her indulging in the great outdoors with the people she loves. Whether it is hiking, taking photographs, or trying new activities, she is up for almost anything.

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