This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to mandate coverage for doula services under the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) for any plans that offer maternity benefits. A doula is defined as a trained, non-medical professional who provides support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. The bill allows access to doula services from the date of confirmed conception up to 365 days after delivery, provided the client remains eligible. Additionally, it requires the Department of Human Services to file a state plan amendment to establish billing protocols and coverage timeframes for these services.

The legislation also increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for birth and delivery services from $600 to $1,000 and sets minimum visit requirements for prenatal and postpartum care. It allows the Commissioner of Health to issue recommendations on the benefits of doula services. Furthermore, the bill mandates PEIA to submit an annual report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance starting June 1, 2021, detailing compliance with parity for behavioral health services and updating its annual plan document to reflect comprehensive parity compliance. These changes aim to enhance maternal health support and ensure that doula services are recognized and compensated within the state's healthcare framework.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5-16-7, 9-1-2, 9-5-12