SPONSOR: Hausman
This bill creates a registration process to allow health insurance reimbursement of doula services.
The bill defines the term "doula" as an individual who has been trained to provide physical, emotional, and educational support, but not medical or midwifery care, to pregnant and birthing women and their families before, during, and after childbirth.
The Department of Health and Senior Services is required to create the criteria for doula registration applications. In creating the criteria the Department must consult with relevant organizations that support access to community-based doula services, as specified in the bill.
The Department must review and approve doula registrations to allow for health insurance reimbursement of these services and maintain a statewide registry of approved doulas.
This bill does not prohibit any person from practicing as a doula in Missouri regardless of whether the person is registered in accordance with the provisions of the bill.
This bill is the same as HB 1446 (2024) and similar to HB 900 (2023).
Statutes affected: