1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to insurance; requiring coverage for doula 
  1.3             services; amending Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 
  1.4             256B.0625, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding 
  1.5             for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 62A.  
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  [62A.0412] [COVERAGE FOR DOULA SERVICES.] 
  1.8      Subdivision 1.  [SCOPE OF COVERAGE.] This section applies 
  1.9   to all health plans as defined in section 62A.011 that offer 
  1.10  maternity benefits.  
  1.11     Subd. 2.  [REQUIRED COVERAGE.] Every health plan in 
  1.12  subdivision 1 must provide coverage for doula services when 
  1.13  provided by a certified doula.  
  1.14     Subd. 3.  [SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS PROHIBITED.] Coverage under 
  1.15  this section shall not be subject to any greater coinsurance, 
  1.16  co-payment, or deductible than that applicable to any other 
  1.17  nonpreventive service provided by the health plan. 
  1.18     Subd. 4.  [DEFINITIONS.] The definitions in this 
  1.19  subdivision apply to this section.  
  1.20     (a) "Doula services" means childbirth education and support 
  1.21  services, including emotional and physical support, provided 
  1.22  during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum.  
  1.23     (b) "Certified doula" means an individual who has received 
  1.24  a certification to perform doula services from the International 
  1.25  Childbirth Education Association, the Doulas of North America, 
  2.1   the Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators, or 
  2.2   the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association.  
  2.3      Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 256B.0625, is 
  2.4   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  2.5      Subd. 28b.  [DOULA SERVICES.] Medical assistance covers 
  2.6   doula services provided by a certified doula as defined in 
  2.7   section 62A.0412, subdivision 4.  For purposes of this section, 
  2.8   "doula services" means childbirth education and support 
  2.9   services, including emotional and physical support, provided 
  2.10  during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum.  
  2.11     Sec. 3.  [EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION.] 
  2.12     Section 1 is effective July 1, 2003, and applies to plans 
  2.13  issued or renewed to provide coverage to Minnesota residents on 
  2.14  or after that date.  Section 2 is effective July 1, 2003, and 
  2.15  applies to services provided on or after that date.