Section 443.15. Medical Assistance Coverage for Doula Services.--(a) Subject to Federal approval, doula services are compensable under the medical assistance program for eligible and enrolled medical assistance recipients during pregnancy, labor and delivery and up to one year postpartum.
(b) The department shall establish a Doula Advisory Board to advise the secretary regarding the following:
(1) Doula best practices.
(2) Doula participation in the medical assistance program.
(3) Racial and geographic disparities in the provision of maternal health services.
(4) Best practices to promote uniform access to care.
(c) The Doula Advisory Board shall include the following:
(1) The secretary.
(2) A representative from the Department of State.
(3) A representative from the Office of Medical Assistance Programs within the department.
(4) A representative from the Bureau of Family Health within the Department of Health.
(5) A representative from the Office of Health Equity within the Department of Health.
(6) A representative from a nationally recognized doula organization.
(7) A doula practicing in this Commonwealth.
(8) A member of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee established under the act of May 9, 2018 (P.L.118, No.24), known as the Maternal Mortality Review Act.
(9) A physician, licensed as a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine under the laws of this Commonwealth, who practices in the field of obstetrics and gynecology and is a member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society.
(10) As deemed appropriate by the department, any other residents of this Commonwealth who represent the diverse demographics of Pennsylvania.
(d) The department shall seek a State plan amendment or Federal waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, if needed, for provision of doula services under the medical assistance program.
(e) As used in this section, the term "doula" shall mean a professional trained to provide physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and after childbirth.
(443.15 added Oct. 29, 2024, P.L.1053, No.115)
Compiler's Note: Section 4 of Act 115 of 2024 provided that if a necessary State plan amendment or Federal waiver under this section is approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Secretary of Human Services shall transmit notice of the approval to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Section 5(1) of Act 115 of 2024 provided that section 443.15 shall take effect 30 days after the publication of the notice in section 4. The notice was published May 2, 2026, at 56 Pa.B. 2456.