HB 488/SB 393 – Analysis Doula Supp. Services/Medicaid Coverage

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Zack Hawkins (D-Durham); Rep. Julie von Haefen (D-Wake); Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Meck

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham); Sen. Natasha Marcus (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Joyce Waddell (D-Mecklenburg)

Summary

This bill requires DHHS to conduct a statewide landscape analysis of doula support services in order to inform the development of insurance coverage and reimbursement policies for doula support services in the state.

This bill requires the following factors to be considered in the analysis: 1) the availability of doulas and doula services across the state; 2) the demographic and training background diversity of providers of doula services; 3) the standards for the attestation, training, and certification; and 4) practical options for health benefit plan policies to include coverage for doula support services during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period as part of value-based payments, enhanced reimbursements , or as value-added services.

Following completion of this analysis, this bill requires the Division of Public Health to 1) partner with doula training programs and childbirth education organizations to help set standards for the attestation, training, and certification of doulas in North Carolina; 2) develop doula services coverage and reimbursement options for consideration by commercial insurers; 3) develop bills standards for the provision of doula services; and 4) create a statewide directory of providers offering doula support services.

This bill also requires the Division of Health Benefits to submit a State Plan amendment adding coverage under Medicaid for antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum services provided by a doula and appropriates $500K to the Division in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to be used to make necessary changes to the NCTracks system to add coverage for doula services.

Movement

HB 488

Filed – 4/1/2021

SB 393

Filed – 3/30/2021