Doulas

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 145 TO TITLE 44 SO AS TO ALLOW REIMBURSEMENT FOR DOULA SERVICES UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AND TO REQUIRE COVERAGE OF SUCH SERVICES THROUGH PRIVATE INSURANCE AND MEDICAID, WITH EXCEPTIONS; TO SET FORTH CRITERIA FOR MEDICAID COVERAGE OF DOULA SERVICES; TO CREATE A SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR DOULAS;

TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DOULA CERTIFICATION ORGANIZATION AND TO REQUIRE THE ORGANIZATION TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS FOR STATEWIDE CERTIFICATION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF A STATEWIDE REGISTRY FOR CERTIFIED DOULAS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES;

AND BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-134 SO AS TO REQUIRE CERTAIN INSURANCE CONTRACTS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR THE SERVICES OF PERINATAL DOULAS AND TO REQUIRE UTILIZATION REPORTING BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE.