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HB 8174

AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island Medicaid would cover services by licensed certified professional midwives, with reimbursement parity to other maternity providers and required credentialing, enrollmen

05/05/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 8174

Summary: HB 8174 (2026) — Rhode Island Medicaid Coverage for Certified Professional Midwives

Purpose and Intent

  • This act would require Rhode Island Medicaid to cover services provided by licensed certified professional midwives (CPMs) for eligible Medicaid beneficiaries.
  • It directs the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to pursue any necessary amendments to the state Medicaid plan or waivers to implement this coverage.
  • The bill aims to expand access to maternity care by validating and reimbursing CPM-provided services in line with Medicaid practices for other maternity care providers.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Definition of CPM: A certified professional midwife is defined as a trained professional who has completed an accredited midwifery program, holds current NARM certification, and is licensed to practice per Rhode Island law (per § 23-13-9).

  • Medicaid Coverage (Section 40-8-33):

    • EOHHS must provide Medicaid coverage for services delivered by a licensed CPM, as long as the services fall within the CPM’s lawful scope of practice and are otherwise eligible under the state Medicaid plan or a CMS-approved waiver.
    • Reimbursement must follow Medicaid principles and methodologies applicable to other maternity care providers for comparable services.
    • No requirement for physician supervision, signature, or referral is imposed unless such a requirement exists for the same service with other providers.

  • Regulatory and Enrollment Authority:

    • EOHHS is empowered to promulgate rules to implement this section, including credentialing and enrollment requirements for CPMs participating as Medicaid providers.

  • Data Collection and Reporting:

    • By July 1, 2028 (and annually thereafter), EOHHS must collect and maintain data on utilization and expenditures related to CPM services for Medicaid beneficiaries.

  • Preemption:

    • The provision states that these Medicaid-specific rules supersede conflicting or inconsistent laws or rules, ensuring the CPM coverage governs under the Medicaid program.

  • Effective Date:

    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who and What Were Affected

  • Who is Affected:

    • Medicaid beneficiaries in Rhode Island who receive maternity care from licensed certified professional midwives.
    • CPMs seeking to participate as Medicaid providers (subject to EOHHS credentialing/enrollment rules).

  • What is Affected:

    • The scope of Medicaid-covered maternity services to include CPM-provided care.
    • Reimbursement practices to align CPM services with other maternity providers.
    • Administrative processes for credentialing, enrollment, and data reporting.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Implementation Path:

    • EOHHS must prepare and submit any necessary amendments to the state Medicaid plan or waivers to enable CPM coverage.
    • Rules and regulations must be promulgated to implement credentials and enrollment for CPMs.

  • Data Reporting Timeline:

    • Data on utilization and expenditures related to CPM services must be collected starting by July 1, 2028, and annually thereafter.

  • Enactment and Tracking:

    • Introduced February 27, 2026; scheduled for hearing/consideration May 1–5, 2026.
    • Referred to House Finance for fiscal and policy review.

Potential Impact

  • Access and Choice: Potential increase in access to maternity care options, especially for communities prioritizing CPM-led care.
  • Costs: Requires data collection to assess financial impact; reimbursement parity with other maternity services suggests budgeting considerations for the Medicaid program.
  • Quality and Oversight: Establishes credentialing/enrollment pathways, ensuring standards for CPMs within Medicaid.

Overall, HB 8174 seeks to formalize Medicaid coverage of certified professional midwives in Rhode Island, aligning reimbursement with other maternity care providers and building the administrative framework to implement and monitor this coverage.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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