Vermont Medicaid agency says S.53 needs funding, time and federal review before covering doula services

The Department of Vermont Health Access told the House Health Care Committee on Thursday, May 8, that it cannot recommend Medicaid coverage of doula services under S.53 as written because the bill lacks funding and would trigger significant administrative and federal-review requirements.

The department’s testimony matters because Medicaid coverage would affect Vermont’s pregnant people and perinatal providers and would have an estimated fiscal impact on the state Medicaid program. DVHA officials said the agency agrees with the intent of S.53 but that the proposal, without an appropriation and without changes to provider enrollment and federal approvals, would be difficult to implement and could force cuts elsewhere in Medicaid.

“For the record, my name is Alex McCracken. I’m the director of communications and legislative affairs with the Department of Vermont Health Access,” Alex McCracken said in opening testimony. “While DVHA agrees with the intent of this bill, the department is not able to recommend coverage of doula services at this time.”

McCracken outlined three primary concerns. First, S.53 contains no…