Doula Benefit Implementation in 6 State Medicaid Programs
In this policy brief, Emma Mairson from the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and AcademyHealth’s Project DREAM describes six state efforts to create a doula benefit in Medicaid.
Significant racial inequities exist in birthing experiences as well as adverse delivery and postpartum outcomes. Given that Medicaid pays for more than 40 percent of all births, Medicaid programs have a critical opportunity to cover services that may ameliorate these racial disparities in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum outcomes. Many calls for increased access to doulas highlight the potential ways their services may help address racial inequities in birth and postpartum outcomes. This policy brief assesses six state Medicaid doula benefits, including information about referrals, visit schedule and services, and reimbursement.