As the demand for doula support continues to rise, more families are in need of certified doulas for reimbursable doula services. More families have workplace benefits through Maven, Carrot and other fertility benefit companies. We are also seeing some states offering reimbursement for doula care. Both are an an upward trend.

Becoming an approved provider opens doors for doulas and dramatically increases access for the families who need support. Additionally, here are the top benefits of becoming certified through a recognized organization and what the process looks like.

Many families want doula support, but cannot pay fully out of pocket.

• Carrot allows employees with fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, or family-forming benefits to use those dollars for doula care.
• Medicaid coverage brings doula support to families disproportionately affected by poor maternal outcomes.

Approval instantly makes your services accessible to entire populations who otherwise could not hire you.

Insurance reimbursement isn’t always quick, but it is consistent.

• Families pay doulas directly and the family submits their invoice for reimbursement.
• Medicaid reimbursement rates vary by state, but they provide dependable income tied to a consistent volume of clients.

For many doulas, insurance-based work stabilizes their business and provides year-round revenue.

Certification sets you apart.

Additionally, becoming an approved provider signals that you follow standards of practice, meet training and certification requirements, and operate as a legitimate professional within the perinatal system.

Ultimately, this can boost your reputation and make you more appealing to hospitals, clinics, and community organizations. In addition, it can even open doors to opportunities for grants and partnerships.

Both Carrot and Medicaid-linked programs maintain directories or internal referral pathways.

Carrot: Employees search their platform for approved doulas → you appear automatically.
Medicaid programs: Community health workers, clinics, and case managers often refer directly to credentialed doulas.

In turn, this means more clients with less effort, and a steady funnel from established networks.

When doulas participate in insurance systems, they’re not just running a business they’re helping shift the perinatal landscape.

Medicaid doulas in particular play a massive role in: reducing disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality, improving birth outcomes, and increasing culturally relevant and community-based care.

Joining these programs is a powerful way to elevate doula care as a recognized, reimbursable part of maternal health.

Birth & Baby University makes the certification process easy, affordable and attainable.  Additionally, our certification is recognized by Maven, Carrot and in some states that reimburse doulas for Medicaid.