State Medicaid Approaches to Doula Service Benefits

Maternal mortality rates continue to increase in the United States, with significant racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in birth outcomes. States are using a variety of approaches to provide doula services within their Medicaid programs to address inequities. Doulas provide continuous physical, emotional, and information support to people before, during, and shortly after child birth. Current evidence suggests that pregnant people who receive doula care are more likely to have a healthy birth outcome and a positive birth experience. Because of these improved outcomes there is the potential for cost-savings overtime for state Medicaid programs. States are increasingly seeking federal authorization to provide doula services as an optional benefit under their state Medicaid programs to pregnant beneficiaries. This chart highlights key components and features of states’ Medicaid doula benefits as ofJanuary 3, 2022.nPlease contact Taylor Platt (tplatt@nashp.org)with updates or questions

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