HB 826

Abstract

State plan for medical assistance; perinatal birth workers. Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to convene a work group to (i) evaluate the potential costs and benefits, including potential reductions in maternal and infant mortality rates, of amending the state plan for medical assistance services to include a provision for the payment of medical assistance for antepartum, intrapartum, or postpartum services provided to a pregnant person or to a person who is up to one year postpartum for labor and delivery support by a certified doula and at least four visits during the antenatal period and at least seven visits during the postpartum period with a certified doula and (ii) develop recommendations related to an appropriate reimbursement rate for such services provided by certified doulas. The work group shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations by December 1, 2020.

State plan for medical assistance; perinatal birth workers. Directs the Board of Medical Assistance Servicesto amend the state plan for medical assistance services to includea provision for the payment of medical assistance for antepartum,intrapartum, and postpartum services provided to a pregnant personby a perinatal birth worker who has education and training in theprovision of culturally sensitive care, including services for laborand delivery support and at least four visits during the antenatalperiod and at least seven visits during the postpartum period. The bill also directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services toconduct a rate study to determine appropriate reimbursement ratesfor services provided to Medicaid recipients by perinatal birth workers,including doulas and community health workers, and to report itsfindings to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1,2020.