Do Doulas Take Insurance in Rhode Island? We Do!

If you're considering hiring a doula to help you after you give birth in Rhode Island, you may be wondering: do doulas take insurance?

You may be surprised to learn that insurance companies in Rhode Island are legally required to cover doula services. However, just because the insurance must pay doesn’t mean every doula accepts insurance.

Keep reading to learn more about doula insurance coverage and what services you can get covered by your insurance with Baby Bloom Newborn Care.

Do Doulas Take Insurance in Rhode Island?

At Baby Bloom Newborn Care, we are so excited to take insurance. We’ve worked hard since the bill was turned into law to provide doula services for new moms.

Currently, we accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island subscribers.

What Is Covered?

While we wish every single service we provide could be covered, we are somewhat restricted by the bill. The way it’s currently structured, you can get up to 6 perinatal doula visits with a qualified doula, up to $600.

Many things can be considered a session, so we’ve created packages to get the most out of your insurance at Baby Bloom Newborn Care.

What Is a Baby Bloom Newborn Care Plan?

When you come to us as a BCBS patient, our first step is to get a deep dive into your family history. We’ll talk about the newborn's siblings, your feeding preference (breastfed, formula, pumping, etc.), and anything else we need to get a baseline of what services will be best for you.

We then create a Care Plan that contains up to six visits. These visits can be in-person or virtual, depending on what works best for you and your family.

Your exact plan is going to vary based on your needs, but these are the sessions we offer.

Baby Planning Sessions

The first baby planning session we can do is the registry development and audit, where we will help you develop a baby registry, which includes items required for:

  • Sleep safety

  • Bathing

  • Traveling 

  • Feeding 

  • Breastfeeding

We’ll also audit your existing registry to ensure you have all the necessary items and eliminate any redundancies. Our goal is to make you and your family feel confident and prepared to welcome your new bundle of joy.

Another baby planning session we can do is the nursery preparation. This is where we’ll work with you to set up a functional and organized nursery, complete with all the necessary items for the baby's development. This will ensure that the nursery is fully prepared and stocked before the baby arrives.

Postpartum Planning Sessions

We have a postpartum evaluation where we will discuss your postpartum plan and help get all appropriate resources in order before the baby arrives (IBCLC, Pelvic Floor PT, Therapy).

The postpartum plan includes recommendations for postpartum visits from family or friends who are excited to meet the baby. It’ll also include guidelines and help to make sure you’re getting adequate rest. We can also help with food planning and preparation.

If you need any referrals, we’ll be able to give these to you during your postpartum session:

  • Therapist

  • Holistic pelvic care/scar-tissue remediation specialist 

  • IBCLC (Healthy Babies, Happy Moms)

  • Chiropractor

  • Massage therapist

  • Acupuncturist

  • Ob-gyn

  • Midwife

  • Pediatrician

  • Housekeeper

  • local breastfeeding support group (Healthy Babies, Happy Moms)

  • Sleep support (Healthy Babies, Happy Moms)

  • local playgroups

  • Mommy and me groups (Rhode Island New Moms Connection) 

Newborn Care Education

Bringing home a newborn is scary, especially if you don’t have any experience with babies. Our newborn care class is perfect for new and seasoned mothers to prepare for your new bundle of joy. 

During this class, you will learn about:

  • Newborn essentials

  • The full-term newborn

  • Breastfeeding

  • Newborn care

  • Diapering

  • Bottle feedings

  • Soothing your newborn

  • Timmy time

  • Health and safety

  • Sleep and sleep training

The newborn care class is perfect for mothers and fathers who want to learn everything they can before bringing their bundle of joy home.

Postpartum Sessions

After giving birth, you may need extra help caring for your baby. We’re here to empower you and educate you with anything you might need. This can be lactation education, where you’ll learn about latching, hand expressions, pump use, cleaning and sterilization, and everything else about feeding your baby.

If you need more formula feeding or bottle preparation education, the feeding education session is great for you. We’ll teach you about bottle feeding, paced feeding, nipple and bottle selection, burping, reflux and colic, sleep, and feeding connection.

Another postpartum session can be all about sleep education. During this session, we will cover:

  • Safe sleep

  • Sleepy cues

  • Sleep & connection to feedings

  • Items to establish healthy sleep habits/hygiene 

  • Good sleep environment

  • Daily routines

  • Morning & night routine

  • Independent sleep

Q&A Sessions

When your baby arrives, there will be so many nuanced questions surrounding sleep. This is our chance to unpack all of your lingering questions so you can gain clarity and understanding of your little one’s sleep hygiene.

In this session, anything goes, and it’s to help you, specifically. Be sure to ask all of your questions in this!

How to Find Out if My Doula Accepts Insurance?

If you're interested in hiring a doula and want to know if they accept insurance, the best way to find out is to ask them directly. Start by contacting the doula you're interested in and asking if they accept insurance. If they do, ask them which insurance providers they work with and what the process is for submitting claims.

Keep in mind that insurance coverage for doula services can vary depending on your specific insurance plan and the state you live in, so it's important to check with your insurance provider as well. Also, be sure to ask about any requirements or restrictions that may apply to doula services under your plan, such as a referral from your healthcare provider.

Reach Out to Get Started

So, do doulas take insurance? We definitely do!

If you’re ready to get started, fill out our insurance verification form. This is your first step to getting the care and support you deserve.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions; we can’t wait to help you!

Tyler Lucchese