Bill Text: DE HB345 | 2023-2024 | 152nd General Assembly | Draft

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Bill Title: An Act To Amend Title 31 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Coverage For Doula Services.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-2)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-04-24 - Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 3 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits [HB345 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2023-HB345-Draft.html

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SPONSOR:	Rep. Minor-Brown & Sen. Lockman
Reps. K. Johnson, Neal

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 345

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COVERAGE FOR DOULA SERVICES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 530, Title 31 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 530. Coverage for doula services.

(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Carrier” means any entity that provides health insurance under § 505(3) of this title.

(2) “Doula services” means services provided by a trained doula and designed to provide physical, emotional, and educational support to pregnant and birthing persons before, during, and after childbirth. “Doula services” include the following:

a. Support and assistance during labor and childbirth.

b. Prenatal and postpartum support and education.

c. Breastfeeding assistance and lactation support.

d. Parenting education.

e. Support for a birthing person following loss of pregnancy.

(b) Beginning January 1, 2024, all carriers shall provide coverage of doula services that includes all of the following:

(1) Three prenatal visits, of up to 90 minutes.

(2) Three postpartum visits, of up to 90 minutes.

(3) Attendance through labor and birth.

(c) Coverage must be provided for additional postpartum doula visits with a recommendation by a practitioner or clinician licensed under Title 24 acting within their scope of practice.

(c) (d) The Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance shall establish, in collaboration with stakeholders, a process for doulas to be certified and to enroll as participating providers, as well as a reimbursement rate for doula services that supports a livable annual income for full-time practicing doulas.

SYNOPSIS

This Act requires Medicaid coverage for additional postpartum visits with a doula upon recommendation of a licensed practitioner or clinician.