Women's Health
MSDC has long advocated for women's health protections, the rights of women physicians, and affordable care for women's issues. MSDC works closes with ACOG, AAFP, AAP, and other specialty organizations to craft local legislation that allows DC to be the best place to practice women's and maternal medicine.
In the face of a maternal mortality crisis in the District, engagement in these issues is more important than ever. Learn more about how MSDC is working to protect the health of women, mothers, and babies in all wards in the city.
MSDC Statements and Testimony on Women's Health Issues
25th Council information coming soon!
How to Ensure Your Practice is Paid for Medicaid Services
Please see below from DC Medicaid
As you are aware, DHCF is transitioning to a new fiscal agent / claims payment vendor – Gainwell - on March 2, 2026. Beginning March 2nd, Gainwell will be responsible for:
- Adjudication and payment of valid health care claims;
- Operating the call centers for provider inquiry and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) technical support; and
- Provider, beneficiary, and other provider inquiry web portal functions.
Provider training sessions kicked off on January 6, 2026, and will continue through the transition period. To register for training, providers must access the MMIS Learning Center at https://mmislearningcenter.myabsorb.com as referenced in the introductory training email providers received from Gainwell.
Last week, Gainwell sent a letter to providers with an overview of what to expect with the transition and the steps providers need to take starting February 2, 2026, to register with the new system. It is imperative that providers register prior to March 2nd – if providers fail to register with the new system, they will not be able to submit claims and receive payment. A sample of the letter is attached for your awareness, and I ask that you amplify the letter and its messaging with your members. Your support will help ensure a seamless transition.
I also want to call to your attention to the impact on the payment cycle once the new system goes live. There will be a one-week delay in payment when the new system goes live. Specifically, there will be no payments made on Friday, March 6, 2026. The first payments from the new Gainwell system will occur on Friday, March 13, 2026. Providers should plan accordingly if they are accustomed to weekly payments.
As of Tuesday, the new Gainwell portal is live and can be accessed at https://medicaid.dc.gov. If you look under the Provider tab, you will find the links to provider training and more information. Below recaps the key dates starting this month going forward.
January 6th: Provider training sessions kicked-off
January 20th: Portal go-live (https://medicaid.dc.gov)
February 2nd: Provider registration opens
March 2nd: System go-live
March 13th: First payment from the Gainwell system
Sample of Legislation MSDC Followed in Women's Health and Maternal Health
(See the whole list of bills here)
What does the bill do? Extends postpartum inpatient and outpatient benefits to at least one year after childbirth
MSDC position: We support this legislation and the extension of insurance benefits to mothers and babies to help maternal health in the District
Current status: SUCCESS. The bill passed the Council and was signed into law by the Mayor on August 14, 2020.
What does the bill do? The bill prohibits the District government from interfering with patients' reproductive health decisions and prohibits employers from punishing physicians who perform abortions or sterilizations outside of their employment.
MSDC position: We support this legislation as it allows physicians freedom of practice.
Current status: SUCCESS. The bill passed the Committee on Government Operations in January. MSDC submitted testimony at the December hearing, and MSDC member Sara Imershein testified at the hearing. The Council passed the bill and the Mayor signed it into law on March 23, 2020.
What does the bill do? The bill extends coverage for maternal health issues and fertility preservation, creates a Maternal Health Center in the District, and mandates two hours of cultural competence CME for health care providers.
MSDC position: We oppose the bill without changes due to inclusion of mandatory CME and some of the definitions in the bill being medically questionable.
Current status: The bill had a hearing in the Committee on Health in December, with MSDC member Dr. Sara Imershein testifying for MSDC and ACOG.
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