How to Pay for Your Doula - Insurance vs out of Pocket

Many people wonder if a doula accepts insurance. Sadly, most insurance companies are still not willing to cover doula services because by definition, doulas are NOT medical professionals.

Yes, in most cases, you will have to pay for doula services out of pocket. 

Another way to pay for doula support is through an HSA/FSA account. The IRS maintains a list of qualified medical expenses that people can access using their HSA or FSA account, and almost all expenses related to childbirth are eligible. This includes doulas!

For low-income mamas-to-be, access to quality maternal care continues to be a struggle. Fortunately, community doulas who have gone through state-approved trainings, are registered in state-certified registries, and have a valid National Practitioner Identifier are able to accept Medicaid. Sadly, only 4 states in this nation offer this option - Virginia, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Oregon. Many other states are fighting for these same benefits. If these efforts are successful, legislation may be passed to ensure lower-income individuals and families have access to doula support and care nationwide. *Unfortunately, I'm not a Medicaid provider. *

Times are still hard across this country with rising inflation and our current economic crisis. 

So, for those who need a doula, here are some creative ways you can pay for one:

• Include a 'doula fund' in your registry. Much like a diaper fund, instead of having baby shower guests donating diapers or books or other items (which you can still do), ask family and friends to donate to a doula fund! Or ask someone to sponsor a doula for you in lieu of a gift. Doula services can run anywhere from $200-2,500K. 
• Have your partner or parents pay for your doula.
• Save money to put towards doula services before getting pregnant. 
• Find doulas offering pro bono or discounted rates. Some student doulas, new doulas, and doulas that are training for additional certifications might be in need of quick clients to build their clientele or to meet certification requirements. Ask around and see who might be offering free services or services on a sliding scale.
• Negotiate what you can afford. Many postpartum doulas work on hourly rates. If you know you can only afford a doula for a few nights/days, take that into consideration. Ask if they'd be willing to tweak their packages. For instance, if a doula requires a client to book at least 5 nights and at least 8 hours per night, see if she'd be willing to offer less nights or less hours. Or, let them know upfront what you can afford and ask if you can purchase services a la cart instead of in a package.
• Barter. That's right, the good old bartering system still works! Yup, take it back to how we used to do in Africa! If you know a doula, offer a service in exchange for a service. Maybe you can braid hair, or your partner can fix cars and change engine oil, or you're a caterer. Get creative on ways you can leverage your skills in exchange for your doula's services. Be mindful that this might only work for new and uncertified doulas and birth workers that know you personally. DO NOT ASK RANDOM PEOPLE FOR THEIR SERVICES IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR SERVICES. For instance, if my bestie was a chef and couldn't afford my doula services that cost $500 - I'd definitely be willing to help her in exchange for some yummy meal prepped food for a few weeks! A win is a win lol. You may have to offer several services so be prepared to install several wigs or braid their hair on multiple occasions so that the exchange is even!

Check out this resource below with a lot of helpful information on how you can get your insurance company to reimburse you for doula services. 

How To Get Medical Insurance to Pay For Doula Services (theelitedoulaandco.com)