Statewide Standing Order

Non-Patient-Specific Standing Order for the Provision of Doula Services for Pregnant, Birthing and Postpartum Persons
(June 10, 2024)

Pursuant to New York State Public Health Law § 206(4)(e), the Commissioner of Health is issuing a statewide standing order that all New Yorkers who are pregnant, birthing, or postpartum would benefit from receiving doula services. This order fulfills the federal requirements in section 440.130(c) of title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations for a physician or other licensed practitioner of the healing arts acting within their scope of practice to provide a written order for preventive services.

Labor and delivery are events that can present a high medical risk to pregnant persons and their newborn(s). The provision of doula services will help to address the statewide crisis of racial and income-based maternal health disparities by providing culturally competent and comprehensive social, emotional, and physical support to clients during the prenatal, birthing, end of pregnancy and postpartum periods.

Under this non-patient specific standing order, doulas may provide physical, emotional, educational, and non-medical support for pregnant and postpartum persons before, during, and after childbirth or end of pregnancy, through twelve months postpartum.

This non-patient-specific standing order shall remain in effect for one year.



Signature: _______________________________________________________                   Date: June 10, 2024

James V. McDonald, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health

New York State License Number: 186383
National Provider Identifier: 1619966959
Medicaid Provider Identifier: 07693570

Effective Date of Order: June 10, 2024