D.C. Law 23-132. Postpartum Coverage Expansion Amendment Act of 2020.
AN ACT
To amend the Telehealth Reimbursement Act of 2013 to extend postpartum inpatient and outpatient benefits to at least a year after childbirth, and to require the Mayor to seek approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that all health policies offered through the District's Medicaid program cover inpatient and outpatient maternity and newborn care for at least one year after childbirth.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Postpartum Coverage Expansion Amendment Act of 2020".
Sec. 2. The Telehealth Reimbursement Act of 2013, effective October 17, 2013 (D.C. Law 20-26; D.C. Official Code § 31-3861 et seq.), is amended as follows:
(a) Section 2 (D.C. Official Code § 31-3861) is amended by adding a new paragraph (2A) to read as follows:
"(2A) "Postpartum" means the time after delivery when maternal physiological changes related to pregnancy return to the nonpregnant state, which may last for as long as 12 months after delivery.".
(b) A new section 3a is added to read as follows:
"Sec. 3a. Postpartum maternal health services.
" Health insurance coverage through Medicaid or the D.C. Healthcare Alliance program shall cover and reimburse health care services and expenses for:
"(1) Home visits via telehealth, face-to-face interaction, or digital health for a pregnant woman; and
"(2) Provider delivered digital health interventions that are used to directly manage a patient's pregnancy.".
Sec. 3. Postpartum maternal health insurance coverage.
By October 1, 2020, the Mayor shall seek approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, within United States Department of Health and Human Services, through a waiver request, of the requirement that all health policies offered through the District's Medicaid program cover inpatient and outpatient maternity and newborn care for at least one year after childbirth.
Sec. 4. Applicability.
(a) This act shall apply upon the date of inclusion of its fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan.
(b) The Chief Financial Officer shall certify the date of the inclusion of the fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan, and provide notice to the Budget Director of the Council of the certification.
(c)(1) The Budget Director shall cause the notice of the certification to be published in the District of Columbia Register.
(2) The date of publication of the notice of the certification shall not affect the applicability of this act.
Sec. 5. Fiscal impact statement.
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact a statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved October 16,2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. official Code Section 1-201.47.
Sec. 6. Effective date.
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.
