Perinatal TiPS is a program designed to increase access to perinatal psychiatry and addiction medicine specialties’ expertise through provider-to-provider consultation. Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurse midwives who practice in settings including obstetrics, primary care, and psychiatry, who care for pregnant and postpartum individuals who have behavioral health conditions, which include mental health conditions and substance use disorders, can utilize this resource. Perinatal TiPS is available regardless of the individual’s health care coverage. The Perinatal TiPS teams are comprised of perinatal psychiatrists, perinatal addiction medicine specialists, and care coordinators/referral specialists. Perinatal TiPS core services include:
- provider-to-provider curbside telephone consultation,
- care coordination including referrals and connections to resources for patients, and
- training and education for providers to increase their skills in treating perinatal behavioral health conditions.
Regional Perinatal TiPS Teams
Regional Perinatal TiPS Team | Region | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| UPMC (a collaboration between Western Psychiatric Hospital, Magee-Women’s Hospital, and Children's Community Pediatrics) | Northwest, Southwest | 844-WPA-TIPS
|
Lehigh/Capital, Northeast | 800-233-4082, Option 3
| |
| Philadelphia Department of Public Health in partnership with Penn Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia | Southeast | 484-278-1679
|
Perinatal TiPS team members respond to a request for consultation within 24 hours. The consultation may result in one of the following outcomes, depending on the needs of the provider:
- An answer to the provider’s diagnostic or psychopharmacologic question (e.g., regarding medications)
- Referral to the team care coordinator to assist in accessing local behavioral health services (e.g., therapy, perinatal psychiatry, addiction medicine services)
Maternal mortality remains a serious public health issue in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Committee (PA MMRC) has found that mental health conditions, including substance use disorder, continue to be the leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths in Pennsylvania. The 2024 and 2025 PA Maternal Mortality Review Annual Reports also highlight the need for increased access to behavioral health providers and resources. The Perinatal TiPS program is part of an effort to implement the recommendations of the PA MMRC.