Doula covered by insurance?

Anyone use a doula and have success getting their services reimbursed through insurance? I'm considering hiring one (nothing like waiting until the last minute) but her fee is $1200. For $1200 my DH can lift my legs and rub peppermint oil on my forehead and massage me while I'm in labor.

Doula covered by insurance?

I would call your insurance company first.

But hey, for $1200 I'll do it! Heck I will do it for $600 ;)

Re: Doula covered by insurance?

Doula covered by insurance?

i had an epidural twice and it was smooth sailing best labor ever

Re: Doula covered by insurance?

It wasn't covered for me, but you don't necessarily have to pay full tab. Sometimes a doula in training or someone newly certified will work cheaper.

I just begged. I was a sahm and the standard fee would not have been feasible. So I wrote to the Long Island Doula Association and explained my situation and included an amount I was comfortable paying. I found a great woman that was worth every penny.

Also... Choosing between a doula and an epi is unnecessary. Have one or both or none. It's entirely your call.

Doula covered by insurance?

I feel like a friend recently looked into this and found that it was not covered and is considered "elective" in terms of its necessity for labor. I'm not sure what insurance she has though -- definitely worth looking into!

Doula covered by insurance?

No, insurance doesn't cover it :( You can use your FSA account to cover it though and many doulas offer payment plans or are willing to work on the price. Everyone says a doula is worth every penny. Mine is $600 ( I negotiated down a $100 because the hospital I am delivering at is so close to her house) She's also a little less because she has less than 20 births, but she seems wonderful so far. It is a pity that insurance doesn't cover doula services but their presence at birth is associated with a much lower rate of a variety of interventions that cost insurance companies more money.
ETA: go to doula match.net. There might be student doulas on there who need births to get their certification and will be willing to work with you for a lower price.

Message edited 4/10/2015 8:06:12 PM.

Doula covered by insurance?

We used a student doula which was only $500. She was super sweet but in the end I had horrible back labor and nothing helped and eventually got the epi.