10 Colo. Code Regs. § 2505-10-8.734

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 17, September 10, 2024

Section 10 CCR 2505-10-8.734 - [Effective 9/30/2024] DOULA SERVICES

8.734.1DEFINITIONS

8.734.1.A "Certification Pathway" means the pathway to Medicaid enrollment through which a Doula provider receives required Doula-related training by a Department-approved training program.

8.734.1.B "Doula" means a trained birth companion who provides personal, nonmedical support to pregnant and postpartum people and their families prior to childbirth, during labor and delivery, and during the postpartum period.

8.734.1.C "Doula Provider Attestation Form" means a Department-approved form that is required for Medicaid enrollment as a Doula provider and attests to completing the Certification Pathway or Experience Pathway, maintaining current CPR certification, and signing the Doula Code of Conduct.

8.734.1.D "Doula Code of Conduct" means a Department-approved form that outlines the conduct and standards of practice requirements for Medicaid-enrolled Doula providers to uphold a high level of ethical responsibility and personal conduct, to act with cultural humility and respect for human rights, and to maintain professional practices in relation to record-keeping, confidentiality, professional boundaries, business competence, and professional growth.

8.734.1.E "Experience Pathway" means the pathway to Medicaid enrollment that allows a Doula provider to attest to training, birth attendance, and related knowledge and competencies in place of completing training through a Department-approved training program via the Certification Pathway.

8.734.2PURPOSE

8.734.2.A. Doula services will be used to provide support for pregnant and postpartum people throughout the perinatal period, which may improve birth-related outcomes. Doula services are provided as preventive services to promote the physical and mental health of the member during the perinatal period.

8.734.3MEMBER ELIGIBILITY

8.734.3.A. A member must be pregnant, in the postpartum period, or had a pregnancy end within the previous 12 months to be eligible for Doula services.

8.734.4PROVIDER REQUIREMENTS

8.734.4.A Enrolled Medicaid providers who provide Doula services must:

1. Be at least 18 years of age;

2. Enroll as a Doula provider through either the Certification Pathway or the Experience Pathway;

a. The Certification Pathway requires:

i. Completion of a training program that is approved by the Department; and,

ii. Attendance at a minimum of three (3) births within the last five (5) years.

b. The Experience Pathway requires:

i. Attendance at ten (10) births in the role of a Doula with five (5) births being within the past two (2) years;

ii. Submission of four (4) letters of recommendation that include two (2) letters from clinical members of a birth team (e.g., Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Midwife, Obstetrician) for a previously attended birth, and two (2) letters from previous clients; and,

iii. Attesting to having knowledge and competency in specific prenatal, labor/delivery, postpartum lactation, and newborn areas of care.

3. Complete the Doula Provider Attestation Form;

4. Submit a copy of current CPR certification; and

5. Sign the Doula Code of Conduct.

8.734.5COVERED SERVICES

8.734.5.A Doulas will provide non-clinical services for birthing people during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Services include:

1. Perinatal support services, including pre- and postnatal care;

2. Labor support.

8.734.6NON-COVERED SERVICES

8.734.6.A The following services are not covered:

1. Doula services do not include diagnosis of medical conditions, provision of medical advice, or any type of clinical assessment, exam, or procedure.

10 CCR 2505-10-8.734

47 CR 11, June 10, 2024, effective 5/10/2024, exp. 9/7/2024 (Emergency)

47 CR 17, September 10, 2024, effective 9/30/2024