Bill > H1312

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 support during labor, childbirth, adoption, miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion. The coverage includes a wide range of services such as continuous labor support, pregnancy loss support, accompaniment to medical appointments, resource connection, on-call support, educational assistance, and advocacy support. Insurance policies must provide full coverage for doula services without any deductibles, copayments, or cost-sharing requirements, and must cover a minimum of twenty hours of prenatal and postpartum doula services per pregnancy. Doulas will be reimbursed at rates equivalent to MassHealth's rates, and policies cannot require referrals or impose additional credentialing requirements beyond those developed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The bill also establishes a Doula Advisory Committee composed primarily of practicing doulas and MassHealth members to consult on doula service coverage, with meetings scheduled at least every eight weeks. Additionally, the bill ensures that doulas have continuous access to patients during labor and delivery in medical facilities. These provisions will apply to all health insurance policies delivered or renewed on or after September 1, 2026.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1312