Medicaid for doulas
Which states pay doulas through Medicaid?
As of November 2026, Medicaid pays doulas in 28 states and Washington, DC, and 4 more states are starting. In 5 other states, some Medicaid health plans pay doulas even without a state benefit. Each state runs its own program, with its own rates, enrollment rules and health plans.
Where Medicaid pays doulas
- Medicaid pays doulas (28 + DC)
- Health plans pay (no state benefit) (5)
- Starting soon (4)
- Not yet (13)
Source: National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP), March 2026, updated with Arkansas, Utah, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas and Nebraska state sources. Checked November 2026. Programs change, so check your state's Medicaid agency.
Medicaid pays doulas 28 + DC
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York Guide
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
Health plans pay (no state benefit) 5
- Florida
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- North Carolina
- Texas
Starting soon 4
- Maine
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Vermont
Not yet 13
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Mississippi
- North Dakota
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Changes since NASHP's March 2026 chart
- Arkansas: Medicaid doula enrollment opened September 1, 2026, after Health Department certification. Source: Arkansas Department of Human Services.
- Utah: Utah Medicaid lists doula services as a covered benefit and enrolls doulas as providers. Source: Utah Medicaid.
- New Hampshire: New Hampshire Medicaid pays doulas for services from October 1, 2025. CMS approved the state plan change on July 8, 2026. Source: New Hampshire Medicaid state plan amendment 25-0015.
- Tennessee: TennCare has no doula benefit. The 2025–2026 coverage bill (HB 295 / SB 44) did not pass; some TennCare health plans run small doula pilots. Source: Tennessee General Assembly.
- Florida: Florida Medicaid itself has no doula benefit, but since May 2026 every Medicaid health plan covers doula care as an expanded benefit (AHCA's From the Start initiative). Source: Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.
- Iowa: Iowa Medicaid has no doula benefit, but Iowa Total Care (in 5 counties) and Molina offer doula programs through doula vendors. Source: Iowa Total Care 2026 member handbook.
- Kentucky: Kentucky Medicaid has no doula benefit, but 3 of its 5 health plans offer doula care. Source: Kentucky Medicaid 2026 Maternal Health & Wellness Resource Guide.
- North Carolina: North Carolina Medicaid has no doula benefit, but some health plans offer doula care as an extra benefit. Source: Carolina Complete Health 2026 value-added services.
- Texas: Texas Medicaid has no doula benefit, but two STAR health plans in the Austin (Travis) service area offer doula care as an extra service. Source: Texas Health and Human Services STAR plan comparison charts.
- Nebraska: A 2026 law (LB 958) requires Nebraska Medicaid to pay for doula services by January 1, 2029. Source: Nebraska Revised Statute 68-9,113.
Source: National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) (March 2026), updated with the state sources above. Checked November 2026. "Not yet" includes states with pilots, bills or studies in progress.
Wherever you practice
We handle the business side for doulas in every state.
Medicaid, private insurance and private-pay clients. Credentialing, billing and denials, never more than 8% of what we collect.
Frequently asked questions
Which states pay doulas through Medicaid?
As of November 2026, Medicaid pays doulas in 28 states and Washington, DC: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington.
In which states do Medicaid health plans pay doulas without a state benefit?
As of November 2026: Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas. The state Medicaid program doesn't pay doulas there, but some or all of its health plans cover doula care.
Which states are starting Medicaid coverage for doulas?
As of November 2026, these states were in the process of starting coverage: Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Vermont.
Can doulas bill insurance in states where Medicaid doesn't pay yet?
Sometimes. Some private insurance plans cover doula care, and clients can also submit a superbill to their insurer for reimbursement. Coverage depends on the plan.