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Tricare question re: doula

gsm08gsm08 member
in Military Families
Does anyone know if tricare covers the cost of a doula?  They are closed today due to the holiday so I couldn't call but am dying to find out the answer!  TIA!
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Re: Tricare question re: doula

  • gsm08gsm08 member
    I'm hopeful because it's expensive :)
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  • bootsie08bootsie08

    I've heard some people say it is covered if your spouse is deployed, but when I called Tricare about 2 months ago they said they do not. 

    You may qualify for a doula at no charge through this organization:

    https://www.operationspecialdelivery.com/

    ETA:  A friend of mine from FL found a volunteer doula here (scroll to bottom):

    https://www.thebirthcompany.com/doulas/

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  • gsm08gsm08 member
    Thank you so much for the info!! My husband will hopefully be back in time but I will definitely try the volunteer doula's.  
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  • Smudges*MomSmudges*Mom member
    I looked into Special Delivery since my DH was deployed when I delivered. There are a number of criteria used to qualify--including not being able to afford it on your own and the lack of support to help you through the process. And, the participation rate of doulas is likely more concentrated around larger military installations. Good luck with your search. TBH, I would be shocked if TriCare covers a doula's services. . . As sucky as it is for one's DH to miss the delivery, it happens quite frequently in the military community. Hopefully, if SD isn't able to you, you have good friends or family near by to help you. Best of luck!
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  • Green*FlamingoGreen*Flamingo member
    Tricare Standard and Prime do not cover doula services- I am paying out of pocket for mine.
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  • proudarmywife08proudarmywife08
    I paid out of pocket for my doula. I would get one if you can swing the cost. A good doula is so worth it! I am convinced that my second child's birth was so much better b/c of the doula and I will be having a doula with any future children as well.
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  • ali1125ali1125
    Tricare did not cover our doula, but the doula's at the hospital where I delivered did give a military discount.
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  • anabell0920anabell0920 member
    I was on standard and we paid out of pocket but she was worth every single dollar! I don't think I would have been able to have my natural hospital birth without her.
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  • LithiginLithigin

    SO worth it! I paid $400 in Fayetteville a few years back and I'd pay 4x that in a heartbeat. DH was gone, but we're going to get a doula for #2, also. I figured that we paid $0 for any other exams, u/s, labor, delivery, hospital food, postnatal, vitamins, etc., and that was well worth it. Good luck on your decision!

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  • TanyaKMTanyaKM

    That would be awesome if Tricare covered the cost of a doula, but I'm not surprised that they don't. Does anybody know if Tricare covers a midwife-assisted birth in a birth center rather than a hospital? I'm not holding my breath but it's worth finding out I guess...

    I'm not even pregnant yet... *hopefully* soon!! But when I give birth I definitely want to have a doula. I've heard that they cost around $400-600... is that your experience too?

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