Coverage For Doula Services

Not later than September 1, 2023, the act requires the department of health care policy and financing (state department) to initiate a stakeholder process to promote the expansion and utilization of doula services for pregnant and postpartum medicaid recipients (recipients). The act requires the state department to work with a maternity advisory committee to create a report detailing the findings and recommendations from the stakeholder process and submit the report to the general assembly during the state department's "SMART Act" hearing. Not later than July 1, 2024, the act requires the state department to seek federal authorization for medicaid providers to provide doula services for pregnant and postpartum people. The act creates a doula scholarship program to provide financial support to eligible individuals to pursue doula training and certification. To be eligible for a scholarship, individuals must agree to enroll as a doula provider and provide doula services to recipients. The act requires the division of insurance (division) to contract with an independent entity to study the potential health-care costs and benefits of providing coverage for doula services in health benefit plans. The act requires the division to submit a report to the general assembly during the state department's "SMART Act" hearing detailing the results and recommendations from the study during state fiscal year 2024-25. The act appropriates $100,000 from the general fund to the state department for use by the other medical services division for the doula scholarship program. The act appropriates $100,000 from the division of insurance cash fund to the department of regulatory agencies for use by the division of insurance to use for personal services. APPROVED by Governor May 30, 2023 EFFECTIVE May 30, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)