LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6971 NOTE PREPARED: Jan 4, 2024
BILL NUMBER: SB 269 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Coverage for Doula Services.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Vinzant BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED: GENERAL IMPACT: State & Local
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: The bill requires a health plan (an accident and sickness insurance policy or a
health maintenance organization contract) to provide coverage for doula services if: (1) the services provided
are within the doula's area of professional competence; and (2) the health plan would provide coverage for
those services if the services were provided by any other health care provider.
Effective Date: July 1, 2024.
Explanation of State Expenditures: The bill requires the Department of Insurance (DOI) to adopt rules to
require health plans to report information regarding doula services. The bill’s requirements are within the
agency’s routine administrative functions and should be able to be implemented with no additional
appropriations, assuming near customary agency staffing and resource levels. [The DOI is funded through
a dedicated agency fund.]
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: The bill potentially impacts local units of government who offer health
insurance coverage for employees. Added local health coverage costs may be mitigated with adjustments to
other benefits or to the total employee compensation packages, or through the division of costs between the
local unit and employees.
The bill requires health plans to report to the DOI the bill’s required information on doula services. These
requirements are within normal administrative functions.
SB 269 1 Additional Information: Rhode Island is the only state to require private health insurance plans to cover doula
care. In 2021, Rhode Island passed legislation requiring fully insured commercial health plans to cover doula
services. The legislation allows each plan to define their coverage, therefore, reimbursement for doula
services could vary. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island will reimburse up to $1,500.
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: Department of Insurance.
Local Agencies Affected: Local units offering health insurance.
Information Sources:
https://healthlaw.org/private-insurance-coverage-of-doula-care-a-growing-movement-to-expand-access-2/
Fiscal Analyst: Jasmine Noel, 317-234-1360.
SB 269 2