Requires health insurance policies to include coverage for doula services as required coverage for maternity care

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Samra Brouk and 2 co-sponsors

Requires New York health insurance policies to cover doula services as part of maternity care, expanding access to nonclinical support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.

COMMITTED TO RULES

S 6494 — Summary

Overview

S 6494 is a bill introduced in the New York Senate on March 14, 2025, titled: “Requires health insurance policies to include coverage for doula services as required coverage for maternity care.” The bill is currently listed as COMMITTED TO RULES, indicating it has been sent to the Rules Committee for potential consideration on the Senate floor. The sponsor is Cordell Cleare (primary), with Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Samra Brouk as cosponsors.

What the bill would do

Requires health insurance policies to include coverage for doula services as part of maternity care. In effect, doula services would be treated as an eligible benefit under standard maternity care coverage.

The language suggests alignment of doula support with other maternity-related benefits under insured plans, ensuring that individuals receiving maternity care have access to trained labor support outside of clinical medical services.

Key provisions (as currently described)

Mandates coverage for doulas: The bill obligates health insurance policies to cover doula services when providing maternity care.

Scope and definitions: The summary provided does not include detailed definitions or thresholds (e.g., copays, deductibles, service limits, or which plan types are subject). Final text would clarify these details, including who qualifies for doula services and what specific services are covered.

Who would be affected

Individuals enrolled in health insurance policies regulated under the state that cover maternity care.

Insurers offering maternity coverage would need to add doula services to their mandated benefits, potentially affecting benefit designs, clerical processes, and premium calculations.

Legislative history and status

03/14/2025: Referred to Women’s Issues

05/20/2025: 1st Reading Calendar (CAL.1141)

05/21/2025: 2nd Reading CAL.

05/22/2025: Advanced to Third Reading

06/13/2025: COMMITTED TO RULES (noted twice in the record)

Sponsors and related bills

Primary sponsor: Cordell Cleare

Cosponsors: Brad Hoylman-Sigal; Samra Brouk

Related/companion bills: A 5140 (companion), and prior-session bills A 10505, A 2344, S 8350, S 380

Related companion bills indicate ongoing legislative interest in adding doula coverage to maternity benefits.

Practical considerations and potential impact

Access to support: Could improve access to nonclinical, continuous support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum periods.

Cost implications: The summary does not provide cost data. If enacted, insurers would need to integrate coverage, which could influence premium structure, plan design, and reimbursement rates for doula services.

Implementation: Final bill text would specify implementation timelines, regulatory guidance, and any sunset or transition provisions.

Next steps

If Rules Committee action proceeds, the bill would move toward floor consideration. Readers should watch for the final bill text for precise definitions, coverage details, and effective dates.