Medicaid in Colorado and Kansas Covers Doula Services
From July 1, 2024 onwards, doula services have been included in the Medicaid programs in Colorado and Kansas with the goal of bettering mother and baby health. Many expecting parents and those who just had a baby will be helped by this crucial nonclinical care during childbirth and after.
Colorado’s Plan
The Health Care Policy and Financing Department (H) of Colorado has announced that services from doulas are now available to Health First Colorado Medicaid members. This inclusion helps improve maternal health by providing educational, physical, and emotional support to expectant mothers.
How Doula Services Help
Studies suggest that the help from doulas can lead to many positive outcomes such as,
- Less use of epidurals
- Faster birthing processes
- Decreased cases of low weight at birth and early deliveries
- A decline in depression after childbirth
- Fewer c section operations, especially for women belonging to BIPOC communities
Adela FloresBrennan from HCPF explained how this service makes their promise of giving Health First Colorado members fair, reachable, helpful services for an empowering birthing experience even stronger.
Doula Recruitment
The HCPF is also hiring doulas to cater to this new benefit. Doulas can apply whether they work independently or are associated with healthcare facilities. Hired applicants get paid as Health First Colorado providers. Information on how to apply is available over on the HCPF website.
Kansas’ Plan
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) declared the inclusion of doula services in the KanCare Medicaid program as well on July 1, 2024. The goal of this venture is to provide physical, educational and emotional support to improve health outcomes for women and newborns.
How Doulas Affect Maternal and Infant Health
KDHE secretary Janet Stanek talked about how important doulas are for mothers’ and babies’ health. “More Kansas families can use their services due to this coverage,” she noted.
Adding doula services forms part of a wider move in Kansas towards better maternal health. It aligns with the countrywide trend of states seeking federal approval for adding doula services into their Medicaid programs. This is in addition to expanding Medicaid coverage up to a year after childbirth.
Facing Health Inequalities
Doula care can significantly reduce maternal death rates and lower racial, cultural, and economic differences in birth results, as per various studies. The State Academy of Public Health Policy states it’s more likely for pregnant individuals with doula support to have healthy births and a positive birthing experience.
The deputy secretary for Medicaid at KDHE Christine Osterlund told state legislators about how they’re teaming up with managed care companies to boost maternal health. “We’re requesting our MCO partners explore more benefits that add value especially for mothers and babies.” She highlighted that they know there’s a shortfall regarding postpartum screenings.
Expert Views and Community Responses
The founder Whitney Frost from the Rylie Center for Hope and Healing lauded Medicaid’s stride towards bringing doula services under its cover. “By agreeing to offer you doulas, Medicaid has made significant strides towards lessening maternal mortality while aiding in mitigating postpartum depression,” she stated.
The centre Frost runs which offers a variety of birth and postpartum services is set to recruit doulas for their program. “Even though it’s only the beginning and there will be obstacles, the state stepping forward, providers showing eagerness, is what’s going to take us there,” she affirmed.
Ending Thoughts
Offering doula services as part of Medicaid in Colorado and Kansas marks a major leap forward for maternal and infant healthcare. These programs offer nonclinical support during childbirth and postpartum periods aiming to better health results, lessen differences, and give families a more supportive childbirth experience. As these plans progress they have the potential to influence other states ensuring these crucial services by doulas can help more families countrywide.
