(a)There is created the doula services advisory committee. The committee is attached to the department of health for administrative purposes.
(b)The purpose of the committee is to:
(1)Advise the department of health by establishing core competencies and standards for the provision of doula services in this state; and (2) Recommend reimbursement rates and fee schedules for TennCare reimbursement for doula services.
(c)The doula services advisory committee shall:
(1)Develop a set of core competencies and standards for doulas providing doula services in this state, for the purpose of verifying competency, including a demonstration of competency, through training or attestation of equivalency or lived experience, in the following areas:
(A)Understanding basic anatomy and physiology as re
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(a) There is created the doula services advisory committee. The committee is attached to the department of health for administrative purposes. (b) The purpose of the committee is to: (1) Advise the department of health by establishing core competencies and standards for the provision of doula services in this state; and (2) Recommend reimbursement rates and fee schedules for TennCare reimbursement for doula services. (c) The doula services advisory committee shall: (1) Develop a set of core competencies and standards for doulas providing doula services in this state, for the purpose of verifying competency, including a demonstration of competency, through training or attestation of equivalency or lived experience, in the following areas: (A) Understanding basic anatomy and physiology as related to pregnancy, the childbearing process, breastfeeding, and the postpartum period; (B) Utilizing different strategies to provide emotional support, education, and resources during the perinatal period; (C) Knowledge of and the ability to assist families with utilizing a wide variety of nonclinical labor coping and physical comfort strategies; (D) Strategies to foster effective communication between clients, clients' families, support services, and healthcare providers; and (E) Knowledge of community-based, government-funded, and clinical resources available to the client for needs outside the doula's scope of practice; (2) Propose multiple options for medicaid reimbursement for doula services, including doulas operating as independent providers and doulas working with licensed providers; (3) Propose reimbursement rates and fee schedules reflecting the reasonable number of clients a doula can sustain at the same time; (4) Propose incentive-based programs such as fee waivers to encourage participation from doulas in rural communities; and (5) Examine outcomes, findings, and reports from existing pilot programs related to the provision of doula services. (d) The doula services advisory committee shall compile a report of its findings and recommendations from the duties described in subsection (c). No later than eighteen (18) months following the date of the committee's first meeting, the department of health shall publish a copy of the committee's report on its public website, and the committee shall transmit a copy of the report to the chair of the health and welfare committee of the senate, the chair of the health committee of the house of representatives, and the legislative librarian.