Did you know that Doulas in many states can now receive reimbursement for their services through Medicaid health insurance. This insurance may have a different name depending on the state. For example in California it is called Medi-Cal. Each state manages differently how doulas qualify to be providers and submit for reimbursement.
Childbirth Professionals International (CPI) is an approved doula training organization in the following states for their doula registries. Some registries approve organizations while others accept training from any organization as long as it covers the content specified by the state.
CPI will not seek to be an approved organization in every state.
There are multiple reasons, the first being that the requirements of some doula registries might not meet the needs of doulas in the local community. For example, in Illinois doula trainings are required to be 40 hours and 28 of the training hours must be in-person. This requirement doesn’t fit doulas who seek out CPI. We specialize in affordable online courses for busy students juggling multiple responsibilities who love the convenience of taking a doula course at their own pace. Also, some states have Medicaid reimbursement rates that are below the market rate for what a trained doula charges and expects.
Of note, doulas are not required to join a Medicaid registry in order to serve in their community as a doula.
Also, joining a Medicaid registry doesn’t mean that doulas cannot serve clients who do not have Medicaid insurance.
If a doula can complete the requirements to join a doula registry in their state and be reimbursed by Medicaid insurance then this of course is a great source of income and method to serve families who might not be able to afford to pay doula fees out of pocket.
The doula registry system is not perfect! One big problem is with doulas providing care and not getting paid by their state insurance systems or slowly getting paid many months after care was given to a family. And, it’s just not easy to get registered. There are numerous requirements that must be fulfiled. And once a doula is registered a challenge could be contracting with health insurance companies in order to provide care to their Medicaid patients. The process is complex and it depends upon each state.
One piece of advice to doulas – have multiple strategies to get reimbursed for the doula care you provide. It is possible to be employed as a doula with an agency or a hospital and also have your own doula business.
Doulas should not limit themselves.
Insurance reimbursement is fabulous, but there are families who will still pay for your services out of pocket.
Consider what is best for you!
This is an important and ongoing topic – we will continue to share our opinion as Medicaid doula reimbursement continues to grow.
