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Bill

HB 1400

Health insurance; coverage for maternal mental health screenings.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bonita Anthony and 9 co-sponsors

Virginia bill requires health insurers to cover maternal mental health screenings during pregnancy and postpartum without patient cost-sharing to improve early detection.

Approved by Governor-Chapter 840 (effective 7/1/2026)
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Bill Summary · HB 1400

Legislative bill overview

HB 1400 would require health insurance plans in Virginia to cover maternal mental health screenings as part of prenatal and postpartum care without cost-sharing requirements. The bill mandates insurance coverage for depression, anxiety, and other perinatal mood and anxiety disorders screening, likely aligning with federal guidelines already established under the Affordable Care Act and CDC recommendations.

Why is this important

Perinatal mental health conditions affect 1 in 5 pregnant or postpartum women and can have serious consequences for both mother and infant if undetected and untreated. Removing financial barriers to screening increases the likelihood that women will access care, reducing maternal morbidity, suicide risk, and improving outcomes for infants and families.

Potential points of contention

  • Insurance cost impact: Insurers may argue that mandating coverage increases premiums, though proponents counter that early detection prevents more expensive emergency interventions
  • Definition and scope: Ambiguity about which specific screening tools qualify, how often screening occurs, and whether coverage extends to treatment (not just screening) could create implementation disputes
  • Provider capacity: Requiring coverage without addressing whether sufficient maternal mental health providers exist in Virginia could create coverage gaps where women can't access screened-for services

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

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