Rhode Island families can celebrate the passage of the Doula Bill, effective July 1, 2022.
RI state law requires that Rhode Island insurance companies provide doula support benefits.
To be eligible, your employer’s insurance must be based in Rhode Island.
We ask that you call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask if you have “doula benefits”. When you call, please document the date, the name of the representative you spoke with, and ask for the reference number for the phone call.

Families receive home visits (a combination of both prenatal and postpartum support) and labor/birth support. The number of prenatal and postpartum visits are determined by your specific plan.
BCBSRI: 15 hours of home visits
Neighborhood Health RI: 6 visits
United Health Care RI: 6 home visits
Harvard Pilgrim: 4 home visits
Medicaid: 6 home visits
MassHealth: 8 home visits

Prenatal visits can include:
-Creating a birth plan
-Preparation and education for labor
-Preparation and education for breastfeeding

Postpartum visits can include:
-Newborn care education
-Soothing techniques for your newborn
-Breastfeeding support
-Bottle feeding and formula preparation
-Companionship and emotional support

The doulas listed on this site are all independent contractors.
Some work as solo practioners, other doulas work together as a group.
Some doulas are contracted providers with RI insurance agencies. This means the doula you choose provides perinatal support, bills your insurance company, and they are paid directly by your insurance. There are no out-of-pocket payments by you.

Other doulas use a reimbursement process. You pay the fees directly to your doula. They will provide you with a detailed invoice, which you submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
With either model, you receive the doula care benefit provided by your specific insurance company.
When searching for a doula, email them with the following information:

-Name
-DOB
-Address
-Due date
-Health provider name/group
-Hospital you’re delivering at
-Insurance company (this is where you can ask if the doula bills directly or uses the reimbursement process)