Doulas Now Covered Under Insurance

According to a recent email sent out by CAPPA , certified doulas are now able to apply for a National Provider Identification number to submit paperwork for reimbursement for their work. This is a great opportunity for more mothers to have doulas attend their labor. How it will work for doulas getting reimbursed what they would have made is another story. But considering that doulas help women avoid unnecessary interventions and unecessary cesareans, it is very good news.

The change in policy for insurance reimbursement took place October 1, 2009, so everything is still very new. No word yet on what insurance companies and plans have added or will add doula services to their plans since the change took effect. But just to know that there is a legal recognition of what doulas do as part of the birth team is good news.