Doulas

As of December 8, 2023, MassHealth will compensate Doula provider services directly through the patient’s MassHealth insurance. To qualify, Doulas need to be credentialed by MassHealth and have a unique National Provider Identifier (NPI) number. 

• Doula benefits are billed through the patient’s insurance directly and not through the hospital.

What is a doula?

Doulas are trained to assist families before, during, and after childbirth. During pregnancy, a doula is an unbiased resource and advocate. Partnering with you and supporting your unique values and wishes at appointments, keeping you informed and empowered throughout your pregnancy and birth. 

Birth doulas are specially trained labor assistants who provide continuous, uninterrupted care for you and your partner while you are in labor. A doula will help you by offering physical support, emotional support and information about the birth process, technology and alternatives.

What can a birth doula do?

A birth doula will help provide practical suggestions for working through the pain of contractions and help you to relax by using touch, massage, emotional support, encourage variations in positions, and use other labor support techniques to help you through your labor. During pregnancy, the doula can join you at appointments to provide support and assistance with resources.

What are the benefits to having a doula?

Studies have shown that the use of a doula can result in shorter labors, increased comfort, fewer episiotomies, fewer cesarean sections and greater satisfaction with your birthing experience.

Heywood Hospital Doula Program 

Heywood Healthcare is a Doula-friendly organization and welcomes the services of Doulas.

Existing Doulas:

Certified Doula professionals are available to support you through your pregnancy and birth journey. If you are interested in the support services of a MassHealth-qualified Doula, we have identified several local, existing certified professionals for your consideration.

Sample listing of local providers: Doula Listing

• Doulas are independent contractors.
• This benefit is billed through the patient's MassHealth insurance directly and not through the hospital. 
• Some insurances do not cover doula services.

Doulas work with a limited number of patients. It is suggested that you reach out to inquire about availability and service options late in your first or early in your second trimester.

• Heywood welcomes Doula's presence alongside you at any/all prenatal,
  birth, and post-birth visits.

Labor & Delivery Doulas-In-Training

Due to the MassHealth Doula insurance benefit, the awareness of doula services is growing. To increase local doula provider availability, Heywood Hospital has partnered with Birth Arts International’s Doula Certification Program.

Heywood is hosting approximately 10 doulas in the Labor & Delivery (L& D) setting who may be available to help our birthing patients. These doulas could provide support services on-site at the hospital across the year as they complete certification and MassHealth billing training.

• L& D Doula-In-Training is held to the highest standards of care and may be available to our laboring families.
  
  
  • Please ask your provider about the doula's availability.

• L& D Doula-In-Training service is not billable and is a complementary service to enhance your patient experience.