California Requires Health Insurers To Cover Maternal Mental Health Screening Programs

California now requires health care service plans and health insurers to cover additional screenings to detect perinatal depression and other mental health conditions occurring during the perinatal period. The additional screenings are to take place at least once during pregnancy and again at six weeks postpartum. Additional postpartum screenings must be covered as deemed medically necessary by clinical professionals. As part of their maternal mental health program, health insurers are encouraged to improve screening, treatment, and referral to maternal mental health services, include coverage for doulas, incentivize training opportunities for contracting obstetric providers, and educate insured members about the program . . .