California § 1367.626

§ 1367.626.

(a) (1) On or before January 1, 2025, a health care service plan shall develop a maternal and infant health equity program that addresses racial health disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes through the use of doulas. This may be achieved by integrating the program into existing maternal mental health programs, including those encouraging the coverage of doula care, or by expanding existing doula programs. (2) (A) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall be considered compliant with the requirements of this section by providing coverage of doula services so long as doula services are a Medi-Cal covered benefit. (B) For the purpose of this section, “Medi-Cal managed care plan” has the same meaning as provided in subdivision (j) of Section 14184.101 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. (b) The department, in consultation with the Department of Insurance, shall collect data and submit a report describing the doula coverage and programs established pursuant to subdivision (a) to the Legislature by January 1, 2027. The report may do both of the following: (1) Include the department’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures. (2) Assess quality of care, increased access, ongoing barriers to access, and more.