Bill
Bill > A5609
NJ A5609
NJ A5609Requires health insurance carriers and Medicaid to provide coverage for planned home childbirth.
summary
Introduced
05/05/2025
05/05/2025
In Committee
05/05/2025
05/05/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires health insurance carriers (health, hospital and medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, and insurance companies), the State Health Benefits Program, the School Employees' Health Benefits Program, and the State Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs to provide coverage for expenses incurred in planned home childbirth. The required coverage is to include, but not be limited to, costs associated with services provided by a health care provider, services provided by a doula, and equipment and medical supplies. Under the bill, a "health care provider" is defined to mean an individual or entity which, acting within the scope of its licensure or certification, provides health care services. The term includes a family practice physician, obstetrician, advanced practice nurse, registered professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, certified professional midwife, certified nurse midwife, or certified midwife.
AI Summary
This bill requires various health insurance providers in New Jersey, including hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, individual and group health insurance policies, health maintenance organizations, the State Health Benefits Program, the School Employees' Health Benefits Program, and Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare), to provide comprehensive coverage for planned home childbirth. The coverage must include services from a wide range of health care providers such as physicians, nurses, and midwives, as well as services provided by doulas, and related equipment and medical supplies. These services must be covered to the same extent as other health care services under the respective insurance contracts or plans. The bill defines a "health care provider" broadly to include family practice physicians, obstetricians, various types of nurses, and different categories of midwives who are acting within their professional scope. Most sections of the bill will take effect 120 days after enactment, while the Medicaid-related section will take effect two years after enactment, giving these entities time to adjust their policies and systems to accommodate the new requirement.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 05/05/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5609 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A6000/5609_I1.HTM |
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