10123.867. (a) By July 1, 2023, a health insurer shall develop a maternal mental health program designed to promote quality and cost-effective outcomes. The program shall be developed consistent with sound clinical principles and processes, and shall include quality measures to encourage screening, diagnosis, treatment, and referral. The program guidelines and criteria shall be provided to relevant medical providers, including all contracting obstetric providers. As part of the maternal mental health program, a health insurer is encouraged to improve screening, treatment, and referral to maternal mental health services, include coverage for doulas, incentivize training opportunities for contracting obstetric providers, and educate insureds about the program.
(b) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) “Contracting obstetric provider” means an individual who is certified or licensed pursuant to Division 2 (commencing with Section 500) of the Business and Professions Code, or an initiative act referred to in that division, and who is contracted with the insured’s health insurer to provide services under the insured’s health insurance policy.
(2) “Maternal mental health” means a mental health condition that occurs during pregnancy or during the postpartum period and includes, but is not limited to, postpartum depression.
(c) This section shall not apply to specialized health insurers, except behavioral health-only insurers that provide coverage for professional mental health services.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 618, Sec. 3. (SB 1207) Effective January 1, 2023.)
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