How to Become a TRICARE authorized Doula

UPDATE: TRICARE is phasing out their current processes and all providers must now submit claims and take payment from TRICARE instead of providing clients with super bills. Since things are slightly different I have disabled the freebie.

I’ve shared with several doulas in the area how to become a TRICARE authorized doula and I thought today I would share the requirements with all of you. The process has changed since the program began, in fact when I applied TRICARE didn’t have a directory of providers or steps outlined.

Now, all of the information you need can be found on their website. I am a TRICARE West non-network provider, and TRICARE West is run by Health Net Federal Services. TRICARE East is run by Humana so the process is different and I cannot speak to that process as I am not in the East region. To get a free e-guide on the requirements and steps to apply, head to the bottom of this post and sign up.

Here are the 14 requirements you must meet before applying to become an authorized certified labor doula:

What are the provider requirements?

Lactation consultants, lactation counselors and certified labor doulas must:

• Be at least 18 years old.

• Have/maintain a current adult, child, and infant CPR certification.

• Have a National Provider Identification (NPI) number.

• Have malpractice insurance in amount of $200k/$600k

• Not have any current Medicare or Medicaid sanctions

• Not have any unexplained gaps in work history for the most recent five (5) years

• Be licensed/certified by one of the 5 acceptable boards & hold a current certification as a CLD, (postpartum doula certification by itself does not qualify), obtained within the last three years.

Additionally, certified labor doulas must also:

• Have attended a minimum of 24 education hours to include:

• the physiology of labor;

• labor doula training;

• antepartum doula training; and

• postpartum doula training.

• Have attended one or more breastfeeding courses.

• Have attended one or more childbirth classes.

• Not have obtained education/experience during the CLD’s own pregnancy/childbirth or the childbirth of an immediate family member.

Doulas must also sign an attestation and meet the following:

• Provided continuous in-person childbirth support for at least three childbirths, with a minimum of 15 hours over the three childbirths.

• At least two of the three births were a vaginal birth.

• Provided antepartum and postpartum support for at least one birth

What are the five acceptable organizations a doula must receive labor certification from to apply?

To apply, you must have current certification as a CLD, certified doula or similar perinatal certification obtained within the last three years from one of the following organizations:

• BirthWorks International

• Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association

• Doulas of North America (DONA) International

• International Childbirth Education Association

• toLabor

• National Black Doula’s Association

Postpartum certification by itself does not qualify.

Where do I find the application/apply for authorization?

Once you have met the requirements to become an authorized provider for certified labor doula services, you can submit your application for approval via fax and you should here back within 30 business days.

My hope is that at the end of the five year demonstration, TRICARE will expand the coverage offered to beneficiaries and continue providing coverage for doula services. In order for TRICARE to do so, they are collecting data on those who utilize these services and those who provide them. I hope that Offutt, and all military bases, will have multiple doulas, lactation counselors, and other providers to meet the various needs of all birthing families before then.

To help streamline the process for you, I’ve created a course all about becoming a TRICARE doula complete with the workbooks, applications, three spreadsheets, and a client contract to ensure you are getting paid. This course will be launching soon so reach out today at hello@thebirthchronicles.co to get on the wait-list!

If you are looking to hire a doula to support you during your pregnancy and labor, reach out to me today at hello@thebirthchronicles.co