Guides
Plain-language help with the business side of birth work. Each guide separates examples from requirements and links the sources behind claims that can change.
Becoming a Medicaid doula, state by state →
As of March 2026, NASHP counted 26 states and Washington, DC with statewide Medicaid doula coverage. Florida also offers doula services through participating Medicaid managed-care plans. We include Florida, so this directory covers 28 active programs. Compare published payment structures, provider requirements, enrollment steps, health-plan contracting, and the official sources reviewed for each program.
- What to decide before you use a doula service agreement
A doula service agreement should tell the family what support they are buying, what it costs, when payments are due, when the doula is available, how backup support works, and what happens if plans change. Cancellation, refund, retainer, privacy, and electronic-signature language can have different legal effects from one state to another, so use this guide to prepare for an attorney review rather than as a substitute for one.
Updated July 25, 2026
- How to build a doula payment plan
Choose how much is due at signing, whether the remaining fee is paid once or in installments, and when the full balance is due. For birth support, some doulas tie later payments to the estimated due date; postpartum plans may follow visit dates or an hour package instead. Put the exact schedule and the rules for cancellations, late bookings, and changed birth plans in the client agreement, with state-specific legal review where needed.
Updated July 25, 2026
- Doula superbills: what they can and cannot promise
A superbill is an itemized receipt for services a client has paid for. The client may submit it to an insurer, HSA or FSA administrator, or employer benefit program if that program asks for one. A superbill documents the transaction; it does not create coverage or guarantee reimbursement.
Updated July 25, 2026
- HoneyBook alternatives for doulas (2026 comparison)
The right HoneyBook alternative depends on the work you want the software to handle. Dubsado offers configurable workflows, 17hats combines general small-business tools in one plan, and Doulado is built for doulas and supports electronic insurance claims. A spreadsheet system can still work if you maintain it consistently. Junie is built for birth work and focuses on due dates, on-call periods, postpartum hours, payment receipts, and approval-based administrative drafting. Compare current prices, export options, and the specific workflow you need before moving client records.
Updated July 25, 2026
- How to get an NPI as a doula (free, step by step)
If you provide doula care, you can apply for a free Type 1 NPI through the official NPPES website. CMS estimates that the online application takes about 20 minutes; use your SSN, or an ITIN if you do not qualify for an SSN, and select the doula taxonomy code 374J00000X. An NPI identifies you, but it does not license you, enroll you with Medicaid or another health plan, or guarantee reimbursement.
Updated July 25, 2026
- What clientflow software means for a doula practice
Clientflow software connects the administrative steps between a new inquiry and the end of an engagement: client details, proposals, agreements, payments, appointments, messages, and records. For a doula practice, it should also handle estimated due dates, on-call periods, birth and postpartum services, and hour-based packages without relying on a separate spreadsheet for each one.
Updated July 25, 2026