Perceived benefits for Medicaid patients who are giving birth
Survey question:
“Will Medicaid reimbursement for birth doulas benefit
childbirthing people in Washington state?”
(M.T ElGassier/Unsplash)
Theme from survey responses
1. Medicaid reimbursement will reduce financial barriers to birth support for birthing individuals who could benefit from doula services.
Several respondents said that any person who wants a doula should be able to have one. Yet, one respondent noted, “birth support is seen as a luxury for many.” Low-income birthing individuals cannot always access doula services, and they “lose out on the proven benefit that hiring a doula provides.” Medicaid reimbursement would reduce financial barriers to doula services, which could lead to more positive maternal, child, and family health outcomes, increased birth satisfaction, and increased knowledge about resources for low-income birthing individuals.
Perceived barriers for Medicaid patients who are giving birth
Survey question:
“Are there any potential barriers that childbirthing people using Medicaid (Apple Health) could face when the HCA begins Medicaid reimbursement for birth doula services?”
(Aditya Romansa/Unsplash)
Themes from survey responses
1. Medicaid patients may not be able to choose doulas that fit their needs.
Birthing individuals using Medicaid should not be “forced” to work with a particular birth doula, respondents said. Doulas and birthing individuals “match” based on their personalities, backgrounds and beliefs, and the pregnant person’s needs. A poor fit will not benefit the birthing individual or the doula.
“The right match is important. Medicaid families should not be made to feel lesser than or have to work with a doula who is not a fit for fear of no doula at all.”
If reimbursement rates are low, doulas may not be inclined to accept Medicaid reimbursement as payment, respondents said. Birthing individuals would then have a smaller pool of doulas to choose from. Birthing individuals in rural areas may be limited, along with those who seek a doula with a background that matches their own.
“Doulas need to be picked by the birth person, no one else.”
2. Potential knowledge gaps about a birth doula’s role and the Medicaid reimbursement policy among Medicaid patients.
Birthing individuals using Medicaid may not be familiar with a doula’s role and function, which could affect how they interview and select a doula. To address potential knowledge gaps, a few respondents suggested sharing information about doulas in clinics and hospitals.
“I think the biggest barrier we currently face and will continue to face is the lack of knowledge around what a birth doula is and how valuable they are.”