Doula services now covered under Medicaid in Colorado

DENVER (KDVR) — Starting Monday, services from doulas are now covered under Medicaid in Colorado, with hopes the services can help curb maternal mortality.

Maternal mortality is a big issue in the U.S. The American Medical Association said there were about 1,210 maternal deaths in 2019 compared to 505 a decade prior.

Those instances spiked during the pandemic, and while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the numbers are now coming down slightly, it is a problem. Some experts believe doulas can be the key to lessening the occurrence.

“Medicaid is taking a step forward and saying we will provide you with doulas. That is a huge step forward in reducing maternal mortality and helping to reduce maternal depression in that postpartum period,” said Whitney Frost, founder of the Rylie Center for Hope and Healing , a perinatal collective that provides different birth and postpartum services for families who are expecting or trying to conceive, including doula services.

“Those types of services can be private-pay or grant-funded. We work with the Elephant Circle Foundation to make sure that we are able to provide those services to anyone who would like them,” Frost said.

Medicaid-covered doulas: ‘This is a big step for Colorado’

The state’s Department of Health Care Policy and Financing said the state’s Medicaid program covers 40% of births in Colorado. The department’s director said covering doula services is a critical move for the state.

“This is a big step for Colorado. We are not the first state, but we are among a minority of states who are currently offering doula benefits, and this is not something that is commonly provided by commercial payers,” director Adela Flores-Brennan said.

“We are making a lot of strides towards modernizing the Medicaid program to really provide a variety of services and birthing options for our members,” Flores-Brennan said.

Doulas have to enroll in the program to get paid for the benefits. Frost said doulas at the Rylie Center plan to sign up, hoping to help more people.

“Today is day one, and I think with anything new there is always bumps and hurdles. But I think having excitement from the state, having excitement from providers, that’s what’s going to get us there,” Frost said.

If you are a doula or know someone who provides these services, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing has a site where doulas can enroll. Learn more about the process here .

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