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HB 1904

Certified nurse midwives, licensed certified midwives, etc.; coverage for nursery services.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Nadarius Clark and 13 co-sponsors

Virginia law now requires insurers to cover nursery services by certified nurse midwives and licensed certified midwives equally to physician-provided services, effective July 1, 2025.

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0488)
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Bill Summary · HB 1904

Legislative bill overview

HB 1904 expands insurance coverage requirements in Virginia to include nursery services provided by certified nurse midwives and licensed certified midwives. The bill mandates that health insurance plans cover these midwifery-provided nursery care services at the same level as services provided by physicians, effective July 1, 2025.

Why is this important

This legislation addresses potential gaps in insurance coverage for childbirth-related nursery services and aims to ensure parity between different types of qualified birth attendants. It could increase access to midwifery care by removing financial barriers to choosing midwives as primary birth providers, particularly affecting pregnant individuals in Virginia seeking alternative or complementary birth models.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of coverage: Unclear whether "nursery services" encompasses all postpartum infant care or only specific procedures, potentially creating disputes between insurers and providers over what must be covered
  • Cost implications: Insurance companies may face increased costs if midwife-attended births previously received different coverage levels, which could be passed to consumers through premium adjustments
  • Provider parity concerns: Physicians and hospitals may question whether equal reimbursement rates for midwife-provided services adequately reflect differences in training, liability, and service delivery models

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

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