Doulas and Insurance: Does Tricare Cover Doulas
The easy answer? Yes, Tricare-authorized doulas are an option when giving birth as a military spouse or as someone with Tricare. If you are giving birth at a military hospital or clinic, this information does not apply to you. Unfortunately, if you are at a military hospital or clinic, you cannot get coverage for certified labor doulas.
A Tricare doula doesn’t necessarily mean that you have coverage. To get Tricare doula coverage, work with OBGYNs and CNMs who accept Tricare and have a participation agreement. To find a Tricare authorized doula, please reach out to me via email.
I keep a list of Tricare-authorized doulas organized by location. If you plan to give birth in Southeast CT or in Charleston, SC, I have you covered. Whether you plan to give birth at home or in a hospital, many of these doulas have experience with both options.
Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support
Tricare benefits cover breastfeeding support services and demonstrations. They also include doula support during childbirth. You can get up to 8 hours of visits before or after birth. Whether you’re 20 weeks pregnant, 27 weeks pregnant, or 36 weeks pregnant, you can always benefit from a certified labor doula.
During your prenatal or postnatal care, you can schedule up to 8 hours of visits, split into 15-minute increments. This support could include working on birth plans, labor and delivery education, breastfeeding support, and more. Tricare childbirth and breastfeeding coverage plans are to expand even more after December 31, 2026.
Through Tricare, you can also receive coverage for breastfeeding counseling through lactation consultants or lactation counselors. Coverage may not include IBCLCs, but working with a lactation counselor or consultant is important for postpartum support.
Benefits of Working with a Tricare Doula for Military Spouses
My daughter is the child of someone who is Active Duty, and this specific topic is important to me. Giving birth alone can be an isolating experience, and one that I had my own journey with. For military spouses, working with a Tricare authorized doula is critical in my eyes. It protects you from being alone during the birthing process. And having a doula present means someone is always there, focused on you.
Whether your partner is deployed, working state-side, out to sea, or what have you, it can be tricky to ensure your partner will be there for the birth of your child. Working with a doula ensures you have someone there, focused on you, who can also help navigate notifying your spouse or trying to reach their command. Either way, when a doula is free through Tricare, to me, this is a no-brainer.
When hiring a Tricare doula, talk to them about your partner's current work situation. With your doula, have a conversation about what their day-to-day might look like in the two weeks before or after your due date—ensure to always remember OPSEC.
You may notify their ombudsman or similar that the doula may be calling with an update, and what the doula’s name and phone number are. You can also create a group chat with your partner and doula once you hit 36 weeks to notify them both of your progress.
Specialized Labor and Post Partum Doulas
The birthing event itself can be supported by a doula, but did you know that there are specialized doulas? The National Black Doulas Association offers doula support for BIPOC folks. Doulas may take other specific trainings, such as LGBTQ+ doulas, abortion doulas, and more. If it matters to you that a doula has special experience or training, ask them about it.
Great questions to ask in the interview process include the following:
How do most of your clients benefit from working with you?
What are the common struggles for your clients?
Do you have personal experience giving birth? How does that come up in your work as a doula?
How long have you been a Tricare authorized doula?
Do you offer breastfeeding support demonstrations?
What is your favorite part about being a doula?
What got you interested in becoming a doula?
How did you choose your doula training program?
