The Wisconsin Title V Program supports the integration of doula services into Medicaid coverage as a key strategy to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes. In partnership with the Division of Medicaid Services, pilot projects are funded to integrate doula services with the Medicaid Prenatal Care Coordination benefit. Wisconsin Medicaid does not provide direct reimbursement to doulas, though doulas provide many services covered by this benefit including prenatal education, breastfeeding support, and connections to community resources to meet key social needs.

The pilot sites are serving African American birthing people in Dane County and Milwaukee. The model pairs doula programs with Prenatal Care Coordination providers for technical assistance. Public Health Madison Dane County and Harambee Village Doulas are collaborating to implement Prenatal Care Coordination at the Village. The City of Milwaukee Health Department is exploring an integration of their Prenatal Care Coordination program and their Birth Outcomes Made Better doula project. The African American Breastfeeding Network is participating in the pilot to strengthen and expand their partnership with community-based doulas and Prenatal Care Coordination providers. Support services provided by UniteWI include Prenatal Care Coordination training for doulas and a data system to track outcomes and facilitate billing.

The pilot project aims to create a sustainable model for reimbursement of doula services which can be replicated by other Prenatal Care Coordination providers throughout the state. The Division of Medicaid Services is planning a policy change to add support during labor and delivery as a new component of Prenatal Care Coordination. The breadth and depth of both Prenatal Care Coordination and doula services are expanded with the pilot project. Participating providers are supported to enhance their skill set and birthing people receive comprehensive, community-based services so they have what they need to realize their dreams of giving their baby a healthy start.