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Are doula services covered under Wisconsin Medicaid?
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No.
Doula services arenβt covered by Wisconsin Medicaid β known as BadgerCare β as of April 2026.
Doulas provide emotional support and education around childbirth. Unlike midwives (which are covered), they donβt perform medical tasks.
A Wisconsin Department of Health Services spokesperson confirmed doulas arenβt covered as a stand-alone benefit for Medicaid recipients.Β
State law requires the health department to get legislative approval before making changes to Medicaid. Doula coverage has been proposed by Gov. Tony Evers and Democratic lawmakers but has not come to pass.
According to the National Health Law Program, 26 states and Washington, D.C., are actively reimbursing for Medicaid coverage of doula care. Seven more are in the process of doing so.
A 2024 study from the American Journal of Public Health found Medicaid recipients with doulas had a 47% lower risk of cesarean delivery and a 29% lower risk of preterm birth than those without.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- DONA International: What is a doula?
- Harvard Medical School: What does a doula do?
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Email with Elizabeth Goodsitt, communications specialist
- Wisconsin Legislature: 2017 Wisconsin Act 370
- Department of Administration: State of Wisconsin Executive Budget, February 2025
- Wisconsin Legislature: 2025 Assembly Bill 1085
- National Health Law Program: Doula Medicaid Project
- American Journal of Public Health: Role of Doulas in Improving Maternal Health and Health Equity Among Medicaid Enrollees, 2014β2023
Are doula services covered under Wisconsin Medicaid? is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.
