LRB-1927/P4
SWB:kjf
2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE
DOA:......Bollhorst, BB0319 - MA reimbursement for doula services
For 2019-2021 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction
An Act ...; relating to: the budget.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Health and human services
Medical Assistance
1. Medical Assistance reimbursement for doula services
This bill requires DHS to request any necessary federal approval to allow Medical Assistance program reimbursement for doula services. Under current law, DHS administers the Medical Assistance program, which is a joint federal and state program that provides health services to individuals who have limited resources. DHS is required to pay allowable charges to certified providers for Medical Assistance on behalf of eligible recipients for certain federally mandated benefits and other additional services. Subject to any required federal approval, the bill establishes a pilot program to provide reimbursement for services provided for pregnant women enrolled in the Medical Assistance program who reside in the counties of Brown, Dane, Milwaukee, Rock, or Sheboygan, or another county as determined by DHS.
Under this bill, doula services are added as one of the benefits covered under the Medical Assistance program, subject to any necessary federal approval. Under the bill, doula services include continuous emotional and physical support during labor and birth of a child and intermittent services during the prenatal and postpartum periods.
The bill also requires DHS to award in fiscal year 2019-20 grants totaling $192,000 to public or private entities, American Indian tribes or tribal organizations, or community-based organizations for community-based doulas. The recipients must use the grants to identify and train local community workers to mentor pregnant women.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section
1. 49.45 (30y) of the statutes is created to read:
49.45 (30y) Certified doula services; pilot project. (a) In this subsection, “certified doula" means an individual who has received certification from a doula certifying organization recognized by the department.
(b) For purposes of this subsection, services provided by certified doulas include continuous emotional and physical support during labor and birth of a child and intermittent services during the prenatal and postpartum periods.
(c) Subject to par. (d), the department shall reimburse under the Medical Assistance program benefits as provided under this subsection for pregnant women enrolled in the Medical Assistance program who reside in the counties of Brown, Dane, Milwaukee, Rock, or Sheboygan, or another county as determined by the department.
(d) The department shall request from the secretary of the federal department of health and human services any approval necessary to allow reimbursement under the Medical Assistance program for services provided by a certified doula. The department may not pay reimbursement unless federal approval is not required or any required federal approval allowing reimbursement under s. 49.46 (2) (b) 12p. is approved and in effect.
****Note: This is reconciled s. 49.45 (30y) (d). This Section has been affected by drafts with the following LRB numbers: -1927/P3, -1566/P1, and -1569/P1.
Section 2
. 49.46 (2) (b) 12p. of the statutes is created to read:
49.46 (2) (b) 12p. Subject to the limitations under s. 49.45 (30y), services provided by a certified doula.
Section 9119.
Nonstatutory provisions; Health Services.
(1) Community-based doulas. From the appropriation under s. 20.435 (4) (bm), the department of health services shall in fiscal year 2019-20 allocate $192,000 to public or private entities, American Indian tribes or tribal organizations, or community-based organizations for grants for community-based doulas. The recipients of the grants shall use the moneys to identify and train local community workers to mentor pregnant women.
(End)
