MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR DOULA SERVICES.

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View NCGA Bill Details(link is external)2025-2026 Session
Senate Bill 463 (Public) Filed Monday, March 24, 2025
AN ACT TO REQUIRE NC MEDICAID TO COVER DOULA SERVICES DURING PREGNANCY AND THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD AND TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE DOULA WORKFORCE.
Intro. by Burgin.

Status: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate action) (Mar 25 2025)
S 463

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Mar 25 2025 - View Summary

    Directs the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Benefits (DHB) to seek approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement Medicaid coverage for certain doula services. Requires DHB to develop the parameters of services to be covered, update applicable coverage policies, and determine credentialing requirements. Provides a list of education and experience considerations for implementing credentialing requirements.

    Specifies that DHB must implement coverage as soon as possible after receiving approval from CMS. Requires DHB to provide a report no later than March 1, 2026, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid regarding the Medicaid coverage and estimated recurring costs to the state.

    Appropriates $1,000,000 in recurring funds for each year of the 2025-2027 biennium to DHB as a state match for federally-appropriated $1,826,000 in recurring funds that are also appropriated to DHB for implementing the Medicaid-related changes. Appropriates an additional $550,000 in recurring funds for each year of the 2025-2027 biennium to DHB for support services and technical assistance to the doula workforce. Appropriations are effective July 1, 2025.