This article is for providers caring for our birthing members
We're excited to announce that on July 24, 2024, we launched a doula pilot program with Accompany Doula Care, an independent, Massachusetts-based non-profit organization founded in 2019. Fifty of our fully-insured, in-state members that we’ve identified as high-risk maternity members now have access to doula services, which are historically not covered.
Accompany Doula Care provides culturally appropriate support to birthing people with the aim to give everybody the birthing experience they deserve. Their doulas speak a combined 12 languages and focus on perinatal support that is concordant with the birthing person's primary language, culture, ethnicity, and race whenever possible.
As you may know, a doula is a trained professional that provides non-medical physical, emotional, and educational support to a birthing parent. Doulas are available throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum to work towards the best possible pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience for the family.
Throughout the duration of this pilot program, eligible members can benefit from:
- Two to three prenatal visits
- In-person support at birth with immediate postpartum support
- Two to three postpartum visits
Why is this important?
In the US, rates of Severe Maternal Morbidity (SMM) vary widely between different racial and cultural groups. As listed in our publicly available Health Equity Report, Black women are disproportionately affected by SMM, having a higher percentage of childbirths with potentially life-threatening complications compared to other populations. In a 2022 study done by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Black women had a 53 percent higher risk of dying during childbirth in a hospital setting, regardless of income level or other economic and social determinants of health1. This suggests that systemic racism has a severe influence on maternal health.
Culturally concordant doulas can be helpful in addressing racial inequities and improving maternal health outcomes. We understand that pregnancy and the birthing process is an immensely impactful experience in a person’s life. Each birthing person should have the choice of continuous perinatal support that meets their linguistic, cultural, and racial needs.
Next steps?
Starting on July 24, our care management team began outreaching to eligible members of this small pilot program. If you have any questions, please call our Health and Medical Management Team Blue at 1-888-623-6442. We look forward to evaluating the program and the benefits it brings to our members.
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