HB2573 - Relating to Medicaid coverage and reimbursement of doula services.

  89R4749 AB-D     By: Walle H.B. No. 2573       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to Medicaid coverage and reimbursement of doula services.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,   is amended by adding Section 32.02481 to read as follows:           Sec.   32.02481.     MEDICAL ASSISTANCE REIMBURSEMENT FOR DOULA   SERVICES.   In addition to reimbursement a doula may receive under   Section 32.024(qq) for case management services, the commission   shall ensure that medical assistance reimbursement is provided for   doula services provided by a doula to a medical assistance   recipient.   Notwithstanding Section 32.024(l-1), the commission   shall ensure medical assistance reimbursement under this   subsection is provided beginning on the date a recipient's   pregnancy is confirmed by a medical professional and ending the   12th month after the date the pregnancy ends.          SECTION 2.  (a)  As soon as practicable after the effective   date of this Act but not later than January 1, 2026, the executive   commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall seek   from the appropriate federal agency an amendment to the state   Medicaid plan to implement Section 32.02481, Human Resources Code,   as added by this Act.          (b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a) of this section, if   before implementing any provision of this Act the Health and Human   Services Commission or other state agency determines that a waiver   from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that   provision, the agency shall request the waiver and may delay   implementing that provision until the waiver is granted.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.