Doula Services

AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware is pleased to present a new Medicaid benefit for Doula services effective January 1, 2024. Doulas are nonmedical birth companions that offer support and assistance to members during labor and delivery. They provide emotional and physical support as needed. Doulas help women feel less anxious about the birth process and breastfeeding and thus more confident about what their bodies can do.

As your community partner we know how effective Doulas can be when it comes to improving maternal and infant health disparities. We are looking for the opportunity to partner with eligible doulas along with our current Provider Network of Hospitals, OB-GYNs, and PCPs.

Doula Requirements to enroll as Medicaid Provider

Initial Certification: New Doulas (Delaware Certification Board)

REQUIRED for new doulas:

  • A minimum of 16 hours of birth and labor doula education which includes: Lactation support, Childbirth education, Nonmedical comfort measures, prenatal support, labor support techniques, and postpartum support
  • Education is defined as formal, structured instruction in the form of workshops, trainings, seminars, in-services, and online education.
  • Education may be obtained through any organization and may be obtained through multiple sources.
  • There is no time limit on when the education/training was received.
  • All education/training must be documented.
  • Attendance at a minimum of three births
    • Must include a minimum of one birth as a primary doula providing labor support to client
  • Documentation of current CPR certification; certificate(s) must include competencies for adults and infants.
  • HIPAA documentation
  • Criminal background check
  • Liability insurance

New Doulas and Legacy Period (Delaware Certification Board)

Recertification

  • Every three years, 20 hours of relevant education and one birth must be documented.
  • Online and in-person education is acceptable.

Attestations

  • Attest to being a childbirth doula.
  • Attest to obtaining the credential for Medicaid reimbursement only.
  • Attest to understanding the credential is not a certification of education or verification of education.

Background Requirements

  • Doulas are required to complete a fingerprint background check.
  • The background check will be conducted via the UEnroll website utilizing the Service Codes for fingerprinting at an IdentoGO location or submitting cards via mail.
    • Doulas will request a Personal Criminal History Report (Service Code: 27RVGT) and route the results to the DE Certification Board
    • Fingerprint Locations: The State Bureau of Identification will be scheduling fingerprint appointments at 9 locations. Hours of operation at Delaware State Police sites and partner sites can be found on the provided link. Most partner sites offer extended hours, to include weekend hours. We offer services in the following areas: Wilmington, Newark (x2), Middletown, Dover (x2), Milford, Georgetown, and Seaford.

Steps to Become an eligible Doula

  • Download and complete the Doula Application on the Delaware Certification Board website.
  • Apply for a national provider identification number (NPI) from the Centers for Medicare and   Medicaid (CMS) through the National Plan & Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) site with the taxonomy 374J00000X – Doula: Nursing Service-Related Providers.
  • Complete the online enrollment process with the Delaware Medical Assistance Program  (DMAP)  in the DMAP Portal

  *You will need to complete the MCO-Only Registration application. *

 Once you are enrolled as a Medicaid provider, you will need to complete the enrollment process with us by completing the Provider Data Intake Form (PDF).

Benefit Details

  • Doula services to be provided to Delaware Medicaid members:
    • Minimum of one prenatal visit
    • Max of three prenatal
    • Max of three postpartum
    • 90 minutes per visit (home or virtual)
    • Labor/birth attendance
  • Max of three postpartum visits may be provided following the loss of a pregnancy; however, one prenatal doula visit must have been conducted to qualify for postpartum doula visits.

If you have any questions, please contact your Account Executive Tobi Montgomery at tlmontgomery@amerihealthcaritasde.com.

Providers