Medicaid Reimbursement for Doula Care: Policy Considerations From a Scoping Review

Abstract

Evidence suggests that perinatal doula care can support maternal health and reduce racial inequities among low-income pregnant and postpartum people, prompting growing interest by state Medicaid agencies to reimburse for doula services. Emerging peer-reviewed and gray literature document factors facilitating or impeding that reimbursement. We conducted a scoping review of that literature (2012–2022) to distill key policy considerations for policymakers and advocates in the inclusion of doula care as a Medicaid-covered benefit. Fifty-three reports met the inclusion criteria. Most (53%) were published in 2021 or 2022. Their stated objectives were advocating for expanded access to doula care (17%), describing barriers to policy implementation, and/or offering recommendations to overcome the barriers (17%). A primary policy consideration among states was prioritizing partnership with doulas and doula advocates to inform robust and equitable policymaking to sustain the doula profession.