New Beginnings & Medicaid

New Beginnings Birth Doula Certification has been approved for Medicaid in multiple states within the U.S.* This means our certified birth doulas can apply for Medicaid coverage in states where we have been approved or our training meets training criteria that have been outlined by the state(s).

This page includes a list of states where New Beginnings is on the list of state-approved doula training organizations, as well as states where our birth doula certification meets the training requirements for Medicaid. This is not an exhaustive list, and we are continually adding to it as we receive new information and approvals. Where possible, we have provided links to specific state websites with more information.

For information about other (non-Medicaid) insurance coverage for doulas, please see below.

Note:

Our birth doula certification qualifies in every state in which we have applied for approval. In states where we are not yet approved (where Medicaid coverage has been approved by legislation), there are alternative pathways for doulas to be approved for Medicaid. This may include signing an attestation form to indicate that your training covered the required topics. There are also experience pathways if you have been working as a doula for some time. Some states require attending 3 births (such as NY) while we only require 2.

Please become familiar with the requirements in your state to ensure you are able to qualify.

New Beginnings Certified Birth Doulas are eligible for Medicaid coverage in the following states:

† Indicates NBCS is on the state list of approved training organizations
‡ Indicates NBCS meets state requirements for approval where there is no list of approved training organizations -or- there is an alternative pathway for approval.

• Arizona – Arizona DHS † (Doulas may use Pathway 1)
• California – DHCS Doula Services ‡
• Colorado – CO Doula Provider Enrollment †
• Connecticut – CT Doula Certification Requirements ‡
• Florida – Medicaid Managed Care ‡ (via The Doula Network)
• Illinois – IL Dept of Health & Family Services †
• Kansas – KanCare Doula Enrollment ‡
• Louisiana – LA Doula Registry ‡
• Massachusetts – MassHealth Eligibility Criteria ‡
• Michigan – MI Doula Initiative †
• Minnesota – MN Doula Registry †
• Missouri – MO HealthNet Doula Program †
• New York State – NY Doula Provider Enrollment ‡
• Ohio – OH Doula Certification ‡
• Oklahoma – OK Health Care Authority †
• Pennsylvania – PADC FAQ †
• Rhode Island – RI CPD Application ‡
• Virginia – VA Community Doula Program †
• Washington State – WA Birth Doula Competencies ‡

New Beginnings is currently seeking approval or information about the following states:

Please contact us with any information that might help NBCS get approval -or- information about any states not listed.

• Arkansas – AR House Bill 1252
• Indiana – IN Doula Project Recommendations
• Kentucky – KY Department for Medicaid Services
• Maryland – MD Doula Provider Information – We submitted an application and awaiting approval
• Montana – MT New Law Professionalizing Doula Care
• Nevada – NV Birth Doula Certification
• Oregon – OR Birth Doula Certification Requirements
• Washington D.C. – DC Doula Benefit Letter

The following states have no mandated Medicaid coverage for doulas or their status is unknown:

*New Beginnings Childbirth Services currently offers Birth Doula Certification and Postpartum Doula Certification. Due to various state requirements, only our Birth Doula Certification is approved for Medicaid compensation. Our Postpartum Doula Certificate is NOT approved for Medicaid coverage.

Doula Medicaid Project is a helpful resource for following various state and federal efforts for Medicaid coverage of doula services.

Georgetown University has information about doula Medicaid reimbursements by state.

Other Insurance Options

The following information has not been directly confirmed by the company or agency, but we have received feedback from our certified doulas who have been able to get coverage through them:

• Carrot Fertility accepts Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula Certificates from New Beginnings.
• TRICARE (Insurance for military families and veterans) accepts Birth Doula certificates from New Beginnings. We don’t know if they accept our Postpartum Doula Certificates. Please be aware there are two TRICARE regions and they were updated as of January 1, 2025.
• In some states where no comprehensive statewide doula coverage exists, doulas may be able to get approval through individual insurance carriers. In these cases, doulas will need to find out which insurance carriers in their state cover doula services and what the eligibility requirements are.
• The Doula Network assists doulas who want to be credentialed, and they may be able to assist with the requirements of various states and insurance companies.