Bill > HB553

This bill establishes Medicaid coverage for doula services and creates a Doula Advisory Council in Kentucky to support and regulate these services. The bill defines a doula as a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and educational support to women before, during, and after childbirth, but does not provide medical care. To be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement, doulas must obtain a National Provider Identification Number and complete Medicaid provider enrollment. The bill creates a 19-member Doula Advisory Council within the Department for Public Health, composed of state officials, healthcare professionals, doulas, and community representatives from different regions of Kentucky. The council's responsibilities include recommending training and credentialing standards for doulas, reviewing doula training programs, and advising on ways to improve access to doula services and address maternal health disparities. The bill also requires the Department for Medicaid Services to establish training and credentialing requirements in collaboration with the advisory council and to promulgate administrative regulations. Additionally, the bill provides a mechanism for seeking federal approval if necessary to implement the Medicaid coverage for doula services, ensuring that the state can pursue federal authorization while protecting potential federal funding.

Health and Social Services

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25RS/hb553.html