LEGAL NOTICE

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AMEND

(Pursuant to §1902(a)(13) of the Act (U.S.C. 1396a(a)(13))

THE VIRGINIA STATE PLAN FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

This Notice was posted on May 29, 2026

The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) hereby affords the public notice of its intention to amend the Virginia State Plan for Medical Assistance to provide for changes to the Methods and Standards for Establishing Payment Rates — Other Types of Care (12 VAC 30-80).  

This notice is intended to satisfy the requirements of 42 C.F.R. § 447.205 and of § 1902(a)(13) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(13).  A copy of this notice is available for public review from Meredith Lee, DMAS, 600 Broad Street, Suite 1300, Richmond, VA  23219, or via e-mail at: Meredith.Lee@dmas.virginia.gov. 

DMAS is specifically soliciting input from stakeholders, providers and beneficiaries, on the potential impact of the proposed changes discussed in this notice.  Comments or inquiries may be submitted, in writing, within 30 days of this notice publication to Meredith Lee and such comments are available for review at the same address.  Comments may also be submitted, in writing, on the Town Hall public comment forum attached to this notice.

This notice is available for public review on the Regulatory Town Hall (https://townhall.virginia.gov) on the General Notices page, found at:  https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/generalnotice.cfm

Methods & Standards for Establishing Payment Rates-Other Types of Care (12 VAC 30-80)

The state plan is being revised to include up to 10 doula visits, with up to four visits during pregnancy and up to six visits in the 12 months postpartum, with additional visits permitted if such visits are deemed medically necessary.  This is in accordance with HB 838 of the 2026 General Assembly that codifies the Virginia Medicaid community doula benefit to include up to ten visits (four prenatal and six postpartum) in the twelve months postpartum, support during labor and delivery, and up to two value-based linkage-to-care payments for postpartum and newborn care.

There are no expected increases or decreases in annual fee-for-service aggregate expenditures in federal fiscal year 2026 or federal fiscal year 2027.