HB5583 - Relating to Medicaid coverage and reimbursement of doula services.

      By: Shofner H.B. No. 5583       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. (a) In this section:                 (1)     "Doula" means a nonmedical birthing professional   who provides doula services.                 (2)     "Doula services" means nonmedical childbirth   education, coaching, and support services, including emotional and   physical support provided during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and   the postpartum period, or provided intermittently during pregnancy   and the postpartum period.           (b)     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.          SECTION 2.  (a) As soon as practicable after the effective   date of this Act but not later than October 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)  In developing the amendment to the state Medicaid plan   described by Subsection (a) of this section, the executive   commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall   consult with individuals who represent interested stakeholders,   including medical assistance recipients, doulas, physicians,   nurses, and health care facilities in the state.          (c)  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.