Bill > S789

This bill mandates comprehensive insurance coverage for doula services across various types of health insurance policies in Massachusetts. The bill defines doula services as physical, emotional, and informational support provided to individuals and families from conception through twelve months after pregnancy, including labor, childbirth, adoption, miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion. These services encompass a wide range of support, such as continuous labor support, bereavement assistance, appointment accompaniment, resource connection, on-call support, educational guidance, and advocacy assistance. Specifically, the bill requires all insurance policies to cover doula services without any out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, or referral requirements, and mandates a minimum of twenty hours of prenatal and postpartum doula services per pregnancy. Additionally, the bill establishes a Doula Advisory Committee composed primarily of practicing doulas and MassHealth members to provide ongoing consultation about doula service coverage, reimbursement rates, and integration into healthcare teams. The bill also ensures that doulas will be reimbursed at rates equivalent to MassHealth's rates and that healthcare facilities must allow doulas continuous access during labor and delivery. These provisions aim to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by increasing access to doula support across the state, with implementation set to begin on September 1, 2026.

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S789