A woman is sitting on a bench with her baby in a stroller.

RI’s unique Medicaid, insurance expansion for Postpartum Doulas prioritizes maternal health

December 19, 2023/RINewsToday

Doulas are care providers who assist women during their pregnancies, perinatal, and birthing periods. A newer, more specific type of doula service – known as Postpartum Doulas – is becoming popular across the country as families seek support for the few weeks immediately following the birth.

Perinatal and Postpartum Doula services from Baby Bloom Newborn Care, are eligible for reimbursement through both private health insurance and Medicaid in the State of Rhode Island.

In 2021, Rhode Island lawmakers passed legislation that expanded private insurance and Medicaid allowances to cover doula services – making it the only state in the nation that does so. The National Institute of Health (NIH) states that doula care can result in 57.5% lower odds of postpartum depression/postpartum anxiety (PPD/PPA).

With insurance coverage, patients are entitled to a total of six (6) perinatal doula sessions. These visits are offered virtually and in-person, and there is a range of support options to choose. Coverage that is included by insurance includes options such as:

· Baby Registry Checklist or Audit

· Infant Sleep Education

· Postpartum Planning

· Newborn Care Education

· In-home Visits

“We were excited when Rhode Island lawmakers passed legislation that expanded private insurance and Medicaid allowances to cover doula services,” noted Tyler Grimes, CEO of Baby Bloom. “As a result, we are able to expand the coverage of doula services to a greater number of families in this state, and include the coverage of services to those all-important first few weeks following a birth.”

She added, “Importantly, Rhode Island is showcasing that maternal health is a priority in their communities and is standing as a leader at the forefront of improving postpartum outcomes for the entire family – including the siblings.”

Postpartum Doulas

In addition to newborn care, your postpartum doula can assist with a variety of your family’s unique needs, including:

Washing and sterilizing bottles, pump parts, pacifiers, etc.
Bottle preparation and storage
Laundry
Sibling care
Pet care
Meal preparation
Light housekeeping
Organization & maintenance of nursery
Running errands close to workplace
Create a smooth transition for the family during the newborn stage (birth-3 months)
Assist you with any (baseline) feeding issues baby may have, including formula feeding and breastfeeding support or knowing when to recommend pediatrician or IBCLC support for extensive issues.
Troubleshoot potential issues of concern with the newborn and offer professional options to resolve them
Sleep Conditioning by using a gentle approach to help your baby develop sleep habits that lead to sleeping throughout the night
Parent education and emotional support
They do not offer medical advice or diagnosis.