The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is pleased to announce that the state Medicaid program, known as KanCare, will now cover doula services. The coverage, effective July 1, 2024, will allow Medicaid beneficiaries in Kansas to have access to a range of doula services designed to provide crucial support during pregnancy, labor, delivery and the postpartum period, while enhancing the overall health care experience for expectant mothers.

Beginning in July, doulas will be recognized as non-physician providers under the KanCare program. This significant policy change aims to improve maternal health outcomes by offering continuous and personalized care to pregnant individuals through different types of doula services, including:

• Community-based doulas,
• Prenatal doulas,
• Labor and birth doulas, and
• Postpartum doulas.

"This initiative underscores KDHE’s commitment to enhancing maternal and infant health by providing comprehensive, supportive care," KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek said. "Doulas play a vital role in the health and well-being of mothers and their babies, and this new coverage will ensure more families in Kansas can benefit from their services."

For more detailed information about KanCare, we invite you to visit kancare.ks.gov. We encourage all interested parties to take advantage of this new policy and the services it offers. 

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