Does TRICARE pay for doulas?

Before I had my own children, I went through doula training and attended quite a few births. I absolutely loved it. When I had my first child, I had a doula at my birth.

Doulas can provide fantastic support for a woman during childbirth. According to DONA International, a doula is “a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their client before, during and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.”

A doula can be perfect for anyone, but it is pretty much a must for a military spouse giving birth without their spouse by their side. The question is, does TRICARE cover a doula? Yes, they do. They have since 2022 and just expanded overseas on January 1, 2025.

The TRICARE Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD) includes certified non-medical labor doulas, certified lactation consultants, and certified lactation counselors. The certification and participation requirements were also updated on January 1st.

Which TRICARE do you need to receive this TRICARE benefit?

To receive these benefits, you will need to have:

• TRICARE Prime
• TRICARE Prime Remote
• TRICARE Select

How do we use a doula with TRICARE?

If you would like to use a doula with TRICARE or any of the other CBSD benefits and you are stationed in the United States (CONUS), then you don’t need any referrals. However, if you have TRICARE Prime, you will need a referral from your PCM (Primary Care Manager) if you see a non-network provider. There could be extra charges if you apply without that referral.

If you are stationed overseas (OCONUS), you must register for the CBSD before getting services. You can do so through International SOS on the TRICARE Overseas website. Make sure to register as early as possible in your pregnancy. They will let you know within 14 days if they can find a TRICSRE-Authorized provider where you are stationed.

What else should you know about getting a Doula through TRICARE?

You must be at least 20 weeks pregnant to qualify for a doula. You also need to plan to give birth outside of a military hospital or clinic. And thirdly, you need to see a TRICARE authorized provider for your birth event.

As of January 1st, 2025, they will cover up to six hours of visits by a certified labor doula. These hours can be split into 15-minute increments. Then, you also get one untimed visit during the actual birth.

For more information, please visit the TRICARE Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration page.