OK SPA 23-0014 Doula Services

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) will seek approval of federal and state authority to cover doula services. A doula, or birth worker, is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support during the prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum periods. Doula services are non-clinical and do not provide medical care and will not replace the services of licensed and trained medical professionals including, but not limited to, physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, and certified nurse midwives. A referral from a licensed medical provider (physician, physician’s assistant (PA), obstetrician, certified nurse midwife) is required. OHCA will require doulas to be at least 18 years of age and to be certified by one of the Agency-recognized certifying organizations. Members will have eight doula visits, including one for labor and delivery care. Doula services provided to American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) members by qualified Indian Health Service, tribal government(s), or urban Indian health program (I/T/U) doula providers will be reimbursed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rate, per the current State Plan methodology.

Please view the draft SPA pages here: OK SPA 23-0014 and submit feedback via the comment box below.

The public notice can be found here.

Tribal Consultation: 3/7/2023

30-day Tribal Consultation Period: 2/21/2023 – 3/23/2023

Circulation Date: 2/24/2023

Comment Due Date: 3/26/2024