§ 10U — Coverage of doula services

[ Text of section added by 2024, 186, Sec. 41 effective November 21, 2024.]Section 10U. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:"Maternal and infant health outcomes'', outcomes arising for the gestational parent and the gestational parent's offspring during the pregnancy including pregnancy complications, maternal morbidity, infant mortality and preterm births."Doula services'', physical, emotional and informational support provided by trained doulas to individuals and families during and after pregnancy, labor, childbirth, miscarriage, stillbirth, adoption or pregnancy loss, as determined appropriate by the division; provided, however, that "doula services'' shall not constitute medical care.(b) The division and its contracted health insurers, health plans, health maintenance organizations, behavioral health management firms and third-party administrators under contract to a Medicaid managed care organization, accountable care organization or primary care clinician plan shall provide coverage of doula services to pregnant individuals and postpartum individuals up to 12 months following the end of the pregnancy and adoptive parents of infants until the infants reach 1 year of age; provided, however, that the division shall cover not less than 6 doula visits across the prenatal and 1-year postpartum period or until an adopted infant reaches 1 year of age.(c) In determining the scope of doula services, the division shall consult with the department of public health and bureau of family health and nutrition.