I. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, doula services shall be covered under the medical assistance for eligible Medicaid beneficiaries.
II. As used in this section, “doula services” means services provided by a highly-qualified doula certified by the state pursuant to N.H. Rev. Stat. § 310-A:222 and designed to provide physical, emotional, and educational support to pregnant women before, during, and after childbirth. Doula services include the following:

Terms Used In New Hampshire Revised Statutes 126-A:99

  • following: when used by way of reference to any section of these laws, shall mean the section next preceding or following that in which such reference is made, unless some other is expressly designated. See New Hampshire Revised Statutes 21:13
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
  • person: may extend and be applied to bodies corporate and politic as well as to individuals. See New Hampshire Revised Statutes 21:9
  • state: when applied to different parts of the United States, may extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall include said district and territories. See New Hampshire Revised Statutes 21:4

(a) Support and assistance during labor and childbirth.
(b) Prenatal and postpartum support and education.
(c) Breastfeeding assistance and lactation support.
(d) Parenting education.
(e) Support for a birthing person following loss of pregnancy.
III. The department of health and human services is authorized to take any action to include doula services in the medical assistance program, including seeking waivers or amending the Medicaid state plan to provide reimbursement for doulas who provide Medicaid eligible services to eligible Medicaid beneficiaries.
IV. Not later than January 31, 2025, the commissioner shall report to the oversight committee on health and human services, the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and human services, and the governor, a set of metrics determined by the department of health and human services.
V. The department shall adopt rules pursuant to N.H. Rev. Stat. Chapter 541-A to implement the provisions of this section. The rules shall address the requirements and expertise of practicing doulas, doula training providers, and home visiting experts. Every 2 years, the department shall assess the rates of reimbursement for doula services and adjust rates accordingly.