Pacify Announces Collaboration with First Choice by Select Health of South Carolina

Alliance to Provide Comprehensive Maternal Health Support Services

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacify, a leading provider of maternity care solutions, is collaborating with First Choice by Select Health of South Carolina, the state's oldest and largest Medicaid managed care health plan, to deliver tech-enabled, doula-led wraparound maternal health services to First Choice's members who qualify for the program. Pregnant members will receive care that addresses barriers to a healthy pregnancy and start to their baby's life. 

This alliance combines virtual and in-person pre- and post-delivery doula services with 24/7 lactation support designed to improve health outcomes. It is a comprehensive care model that offers professional guidance along the pregnancy journey to address challenges that expectant and new mothers face.

Studies have shown that doula-supported births and lactation support services can help expectant mothers and their newborns, with benefits including:

• 47% reduction in Cesarean rates,
• 29% decrease in the risk of preterm births,
• 46% higher likelihood of attending a postpartum checkup, and a
• 57.5% lower chance of developing postpartum depression or anxiety.

"We are thrilled to partner with First Choice to bring our innovative maternal health services to its members," said Jennifer Sargent, CEO of Pacify. "This collaboration represents a significant step forward in our mission to ensure that every expectant and new mother has access to the support they need to experience a healthy pregnancy and postpartum period."

"By collaborating with Pacify, First Choice by Select Health will advance its commitment towards addressing disparities in maternal care by providing equitable access to culturally responsive support services," said Select Health Market Chief Medical Officer Diego Martinez, MD, MBA, MPH. "We are able to offer our members access to evidence-based services that complement our existing programs, including Bright Start® and Keys to Your Care®, to help ensure healthier outcomes for mothers and infants across South Carolina."

Learn more about how Pacify is driving better health outcomes by downloading its original research, case studies, and reports.

About Pacify
Pacify is a leading provider of maternity care solutions, partnering with public health agencies, health plans, and Medicaid MCOs. With over 10 years of experience in delivering maternity management support, Pacify offers comprehensive, doula-led support and guidance to expectant and new mothers through our digital platform and team of experienced healthcare professionals. With a core focus on empowering parents and promoting healthier outcomes, Pacify is dedicated to setting a new standard for maternity care. For more information, visit www.pacify.com.

About First Choice by Select Health of South Carolina
Select Health of South Carolina, part of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies, contracts with the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) to offer First Choice, the state's oldest and largest Medicaid managed care health plan, in all 46 counties statewide. For more information about First Choice by Select Health, visit www.selecthealthofsc.com.

Select Health also offers the First Choice VIP Care Plus Medicare-Medicaid plan and First Choice VIP Care (DSNP) Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan for dual eligibles in 42 counties, as well as the First Choice Next Health Insurance Marketplace® product in 17 counties. For more information about First Choice VIP Care Plus, visit www.firstchoicevipcareplus.com. For information about First Choice VIP Care, visit www.firstchoicevipcare.com. For more information about First Choice next, visit www.firstchoicenext.com.

Media Contacts:

Pacify
Kaitlyn Tuson
[email protected]
703-914-3191

First Choice by Select Health of South Carolina
Scott D. Bluebond
[email protected]
215-840-8605 

SOURCE Pacify