Delaware Code
Subchapter III. Provisions Applicable to Group and Blanket Health Insurance
§ 3553. Midwife services reimbursement.

(a) This section shall apply to every group or blanket policy, contract or certificate issued thereunder, of health or sickness or accident insurance delivered or issued for delivery within the State which meets the requirements of subsection (d) of this section.
(b) This section shall apply to all such policies, contracts, certificates or programs issued, renewed, modified, altered, amended or reissued on or after September 9, 1988.
(c) The section shall apply to all private and public programs for health services and facilities reimbursement, including but not limited to any such reimbursement programs operated by the State.
(d) Whenever an insurance policy, contract or certificate or health services reimbursement program provides for reimbursement for any health-care service which is within those areas of practice for which a midwife may be licensed pursuant to § 122 of Title 16 or pursuant to statute in the state where the service is delivered, or for the cost of birthing facilities, the insured or any other person covered by the policy, contract or certificate, or health services or facilities reimbursement program shall be entitled to reimbursement for such service or use of the facilities performed by a duly licensed certified nurse midwife practicing within those areas for which the certified nurse midwife is licensed in the state where the licensed certified nurse midwife is practicing. Whenever such service is performed by a licensed certified nurse midwife and reimbursed by a professional health services plan corporation, the licensed certified nurse midwife shall be granted such rights of participation, plan admission and registration as may be granted by the professional health services plan corporation, to a physician or osteopath performing such a service. When payment is made for health-care services performed by a licensed certified nurse midwife, no payment or reimbursement shall be payable to a physician or osteopath for the services performed by the licensed certified nurse midwife.
(e) For the purposes of this section, “midwifery” shall only include those having the following qualifications:

(1) Age of 21 years or older;
(2) Licensed as a registered professional nurse in the State;
(3) Possesses a valid certification by the American College of Nurse Midwives;
(4) Submits a sworn statement that he or she has not been convicted of a felony; been professionally penalized or convicted of substance addiction; had a professional nursing license suspended or revoked in this or another state; been professionally penalized or convicted of fraud; is physically and mentally capable of engaging in the practice of midwifery; and
(5) Has formed an alliance which is defined as a relationship between a midwife and a physician or physicians licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy in Delaware whereby medical consultation and referral, available on a 24-hour basis, is agreed upon in writing, signed by both parties, and filed with the Department of Health and Social Services.

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