Doulas
This page describes the steps toward implementing doula services under Apple Health with a target date of early 2025, including how to stay updated and become involved.
On this page
Apple Health doula reimbursement coming early 2025
There is currently not an Apple Health (Medicaid) reimbursement for doulas. The target date for implementation for reimbursement for doulas is early 2025.
Background
Birth doulas are trained nonclinical professionals who provide emotional, physical, psychosocial, and informational support to pregnant, birthing, post-pregnancy people, and their families.
Evidence supports doulas improving outcomes across a range of metrics for this population, including infants, and a larger positive impact for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. There has long been support in Washington for increasing access to doulas, especially for people on Apple Health.
2024 Legislative session
During the 2024 legislative session, Governor Inslee signed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5950 into law authorizing the Health Care Authority (HCA) to implement a doula benefit for Apple Health (Medicaid) clients. HCA was allocated funding for:
- An Apple Health doula reimbursement.
- Design and recommendations for a doula hub and statewide doula referral system.
2023 Legislative session
During the 2023 legislative session, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1881, codified under chapter 18.47 RCW, created birth doulas (doula) as a new health profession in Washington. The rules establish the profession’s education, training, and certification requirements.
This resulted in a voluntary credential, meaning that an individual does not need to be credentialed in Washington state to provide doula services. However, the title “state-certified birth doula” cannot be used unless the person has the Department of Health state birth doula credential.
Learn more by visiting Department of Health’s Birth Doula webpage.
Implementing Apple Health doula reimbursement
HCA is working with federal, state, Tribal, and community partners to develop and implement the doula benefit by early 2025. This work includes:
- Development of policy and payment for doulas, including benefit design.
- Rulemaking via Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
- Submission of the Medicaid State Plan Amendment.
- Development of a communications strategy.
Doula community meetings
The Health Care Authority hosts open community meetings at various points in the doula implementation process. Community meetings offer an opportunity to hear input and provide information and updates on HCA’s implementation of the Apple Health birth doula benefit.
Upcoming meeting
- Date: Thursday, July 25
- Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
- Join Zoom meeting (no registration required)
Project updates
To stay connected to our doula work, subscribe to the Doulas mailing list.
Recent bulletins and newsletters
Older items are available upon request.
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| July 12, 2024 | Birth doulas: Apply for your National Provider Identifier (NPI) |
| July 11, 2024 | Documents available for doulas meeting July 25 |
| July 3, 2024 | Doulas community meeting - Thursday, July 25 |
| May 8, 2024 | Birth doula benefit rulemaking initiated |
| April 11, 2024 | Update on Legislative action for Apple Health doula benefit |
| March 21, 2024 | Doula services frequently asked questions |
| September 14, 2023 | Birth doula rules adopted and filed |