HB 425: Pregnant and postpartum patients; reimbursement for remote monitoring services through pregnancy. - Virginia

Social Services Subcommittee Substitute → Finance and Appropriations Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to shift from a permanent mandate requiring the Department of Medical Assistance Services to pay for remote monitoring services for high-risk pregnant patients and older mothers, to a temporary directive requiring the Department to study whether other states provide such coverage. This change delays any new spending or policy implementation until after the study is completed.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from establishing immediate coverage requirements for specific patient groups to creating a research task for the Department to analyze existing state practices before taking action.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the permanent statutory mandate requiring the Department to include provisions for remote patient monitoring services for high-risk pregnant persons and those 35 or older in the state Medicaid plan.

Added a requirement for the Department to conduct a survey of other states regarding their coverage of remote monitoring services for the specified populations, including costs and best practices.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the specific eligibility criteria that would have granted coverage for remote monitoring to high-risk pregnant patients and pregnant persons aged 35 and older through 12 months postpartum.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date and subject matter from immediate implementation of coverage to a report deadline of November 1, 2026, for the study findings.

DEFINITION

Removed the detailed definition of 'remote patient monitoring services' and the specific list of covered conditions (e.g., transplant patients, post-surgery patients) that were previously included in the bill.

Finance and Appropriations Substitute → Chaptered · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was finalized and enacted into law, changing from a Senate substitute proposing a study to a chaptered act that permanently amends the Code of Virginia. The substantive policy change is the addition of a new requirement for the Department of Medical Assistance Services to assess and report on coverage for remote patient monitoring via telemedicine for high-risk and advanced maternal age pregnant persons. This shifts the bill from a temporary investigative request to a permanent statutory mandate for the Department to evaluate and potentially expand coverage for these specific populations.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a proposed Senate substitute to an enacted Chaptered Act, making the provisions permanent law rather than a temporary substitute.

REQUIREMENT

Added a permanent mandate requiring the Department of Medical Assistance Services to assess and report on telemedicine remote monitoring coverage for high-risk and advanced maternal age pregnant persons.

TIMELINE

Changed the document status from a proposed substitute to an approved chaptered act effective April 8, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Removed the 'Senate Substitute' header and replaced it with 'Virginia Acts of Assembly' and Chapter 391 formatting.

Enrolled → Health and Human Services Substitute · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was converted from its final 'Enrolled' version into a 'Health and Human Services Substitute' version for further legislative consideration. The substantive policy text regarding Medicaid coverage, eligibility rules, and provider contracts remains identical to the original version, with no changes to the actual laws being proposed.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; the text is identical to the Enrolled version.

TECHNICAL

The document format was changed from a final 'Enrolled' Act to a 'Substitute' bill, indicating it is being returned to the legislature for further review or amendment rather than being ready for signature.

Introduced → Enrolled · 4 edits · Apr 8, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was formally enacted into law as an Enrolled Act, changing its status from a proposed House Bill to a binding state statute. The substantive policy content regarding Medicaid coverage remains identical to the introduced version, including provisions for remote monitoring, doula care, and dental services for pregnant women. The primary change is the formal adoption of the text, which now carries the force of law.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; it continues to amend the Virginia Code to expand Medicaid benefits for specific populations.

TECHNICAL

The document status changed from 'Introduced' to 'Enrolled', indicating the bill has passed all legislative stages and is now law.

The title was slightly updated to include 'patients with advanced maternal age' alongside 'high-risk pregnant patients' for remote monitoring services.

Removed introductory metadata such as bill numbers, filing dates, and committee referral notes that are no longer relevant once the bill is enacted.

Added formal headers, page numbering, and the 'Virginia Acts of Assembly' title block required for official state laws.

Health and Human Services Substitute → Social Services Subcommittee Substitute · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill text has been reformatted from a standard legislative layout to a 'House Substitute' format, which typically indicates a version revised by a subcommittee. The substantive policy content regarding Medicaid coverage, eligibility rules, and provider contracts appears to remain unchanged in the visible text, though the document is incomplete.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's applicability to Medicaid services and providers appears unchanged, as the visible text retains the same statutory provisions as the original version.

TECHNICAL

The document layout was restructured to include a 'House Substitute' header and page numbering, indicating a procedural revision by a subcommittee, but no substantive policy language was added or removed in the visible sections.

Pregnant and postpartum patients; reimbursement for remote monitoring services through pregnancy.

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