§977.43. Required Medicaid coverage for doulas

            A. The Louisiana Medicaid program shall cover inpatient and, if deemed appropriate, outpatient coverage for doula treatment or care when such care or treatment is used for a medically accepted indication and administered in any healthcare facility by any healthcare professional appropriately registered in this state to provide doula treatment or care in accordance with state and federal guidelines or certifications.

            B. A prospective enrollee shall be considered eligible for doula treatment or care enrollment if the individual satisfies all of the following qualifications:

            (1) The individual is enrolled in the Louisiana Medicaid program.

            (2) A licensed healthcare provider has certified that the individual is pregnant or in the postpartum period.

            (3) The pregnant or postpartum woman requests or consents to the use of doula services.

            C. Pursuant to this Section, the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health shall do all the following:

            (1) Submit to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services all necessary state plan amendments.

            (2) Promulgate and adopt all necessary rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

            (3) Take any other actions necessary to implement the provisions of this Part.

            Acts 2025, No. 228, §1.