It’s a done doula: South Dakota Medicaid to cover childbirth support starting in 2025

By Makenzie Huber / December 11, 2024

South Dakota Medicaid will start covering doula birth and postpartum services in 2025. 

Medicaid is a joint federal-state health insurance program for low-income and disabled people. Doulas are trained, non-medical professionals who provide physical, emotional and educational support to pregnant clients. 

Under the new plan, Medicaid recipients will be eligible for up to $1,800 in doula services within 18 months of delivery, according to a news release from the South Dakota Doulas advocacy organization.

“This historic decision marks a major milestone in the state’s commitment to improving maternal health and expanding access to essential support for families by establishing doulas as Medicaid health care providers,” said board president Kelsie Thomas, who is also co-owner of Transitions: Doula and Life Services.

Services will require a referral from a physician or other licensed practitioner, according to the Department of Social Services. Medicaid covered about one-quarter of all births in South Dakota in 2023, according to March of Dimes, a health care advocacy organization.

A 2013 study reported that pregnant patients using doulas were two times less likely to experience birth complications. A 2016 study found that doula services can be cost-effective for state Medicaid programs, with patients experiencing lower rates of preterm and C-section births.

The expansion comes in part due to efforts from Rep. Mellissa Heermann, R-Brookings, last legislative session. Heermann introduced a bill to cover a portion of doula services under Medicaid. She tabled the bill after DSS Secretary Matt Althoff told lawmakers his department planned to expand coverage.

Brookings Health System announced on Wednesday it’ll hold a doula and childbirth support workshop in January and February, which the state approved as certification to become a doula provider.