Perinatal health screenings and treatment.

Senators Smallwood-Cuevas and Cervantes, with Senator Valladares as principal coauthor, have put forward legislation to expand mental health screening and treatment requirements during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The measure redefines "maternal mental health" as "perinatal mental health" to encompass conditions occurring throughout pregnancy, postpartum, and the broader perinatal timeframe.

The bill requires health care service plans and insurers to implement comprehensive perinatal mental health programs that include screenings, case management, and care coordination. These programs must follow clinical guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or other recognized professional bodies when appropriate to providers' scope of practice. Plans and insurers must report annually on case management utilization and outcomes, making this information publicly available on their websites.

Licensed health care practitioners providing prenatal, postpartum, or interpregnancy care must either conduct mental health screenings or refer patients to qualified providers for screening and treatment. The requirements apply to physicians, naturopathic doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and licensed midwives operating within their scope of practice. The measure exempts specialized health plans and emergency services while maintaining existing Medi-Cal managed care quality standards.