State Medicaid Approaches to Doula Service Benefits
By National Academy for State Health Policy
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 childbirth. 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 over time 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 of April 16, 2024. Please contact Anoosha Hasan (ahasan@nashp.org) with updates or questions. You can also download a PDF of this chart.
