Doula care is a maternity benefit available to NJ FamilyCare members as of January 1, 2021.
A doula supports the pregnant individual through pregnancy and the postpartum period with education and emotional and physical support. They may visit their clients in the home/community, accompany them to clinical appointments, and provide continuous labor support at the hospital. Community doulas are best equipped to meet the particular needs of our diverse NJ FamilyCare members as they receive additional training in delivering culturally competent care and accessing NJ’s community-based resources.
Receiving doula care can improve birth-related outcomes and result in a more positive birth experience. Access to doula care is a key part of a package of maternal health reforms aligned with NurtureNJ, a campaign led by First Lady Tammy Murphy to reduce racial disparities in maternal and infant health.
The design and implementation of New Jersey’s community doula program has benefited from the ongoing input of a doula stakeholder group. This group includes community-based doulas and representatives from non-profit foundations in the maternal health space, our Medicaid managed care organizations, and our sister agency, the NJ Department of Health. The work of the community doula stakeholder group from 2019-2021 was summarized at the October 19, 2021 meeting. At that same meeting, New Jersey's Doula Learning Collaborative--a statewide organization dedicated to supporting doulas--was introduced. To see the slide deck presented, click here.
Information for Doulas Interested in Enrolling as NJ FamilyCare Providers
Under NJ FamilyCare, doula services will be delivered by providers with community doula training from an approved training program.
Doulas must enroll to become a provider for NJ FamilyCare members. The first step in this process is to complete an application to become a “fee-for-service” provider within NJ FamilyCare. For a detailed guide on how to complete these first steps, please click here.
Doulas are encouraged to reach out to our Doula Guides with questions/support at mahs.doulaguide@dhs.nj.gov and (609) 610-9511. Doula Guides are staff members dedicated to helping doula providers enroll and participate in NJ FamilyCare.
The following archived doula trainings include more information on how doulas can enroll as NJ FamilyCare providers.
Training Session #1: Enrollment as an Individual Doula within the NJFC Fee-for-Service Program (Original Session Date: 12/9/2020)
Part One: Introduction to NJ FamilyCare and Fee-for-Service/Managed Care (video recording)
Part Two: Application Process for Individual Doulas (video recording)
Presentation Slide Deck including NPI: What You Need to Know (PDF)
Training Session #2: Enrollment as a Doula-only Agency (group provider) within the NJFC Fee-for-Service Program (Original Session Date: 12/11/2020)
Part One: Introduction to NJ FamilyCare and Fee-for-Service/Managed Care (video recording)
Part Two: Application Process for a Doula-only Agency (video recording)
Presentation Slide Deck including NPI: What You Need to Know (PDF)
Training Session #3: Doula Claims Submission within the NJFC Fee-for-Service Program (Original Session Date: 4/12/2021)
Claims Presentation (video recording)
Presentation Slide Deck (PDF)
Training Session #4: MCO contracting within the NJFC Program (Original Session Date: 6/28/2021)
Contracting Presentation (video recording) The Q&A session is not in the recording but the answers are added to the slide deck.
Presentation Slide Deck including Q&A (PDF)
