How to enroll as a Medicaid doula in Washington
Apple Health (Health Care Authority) · coverage since January 1, 2025 · last checked July 25, 2026
Washington's Apple Health birth doula benefit began January 1, 2025. The standard benefit pays up to $3,500 per pregnancy: $750 for the prenatal intake, $750 for labor and delivery, and up to $2,000 for additional visits. More visit units may be approved through a limitation extension. Enrollment requires DOH certification, a Type 1 NPI, ProviderOne enrollment, and professional liability insurance. Doulas bill the state directly, including for clients in managed care plans.
What Medicaid pays
Up to $3,500 per client per pregnancy under the standard benefit
- $750 flat for the prenatal intake visit (once per pregnancy, minimum 2 hours)
- $750 flat for continuous labor & delivery support
- Additional prenatal and postpartum care pays $25 per 15-minute unit, up to 80 units or $2,000 under the standard benefit. Six units are reserved for a comprehensive postpartum visit
- The standard services do not need prior authorization. Units beyond 80 require an approved limitation extension before they are used
One in-person intake visit of at least 2 hours, continuous labor and delivery support, and up to 80 additional 15-minute units without prior authorization. Six units are reserved for a comprehensive postpartum visit. The limit follows the client if they switch doulas; more units require an approved limitation extension.
Who can apply
- DOH Birth Doula certification through an approved training program; the ancestral, cultural, or experiential pathway with 3 testimonial or recommendation letters; or endorsement of a qualifying current certification from another state, DC, or a US territory
- All DOH application fees waived through June 30, 2027
- Renew DOH certification every 2 years and complete 10 hours of continuing education
- A Washington business license if you bill independently, plus professional liability insurance required by the HCA Core Provider Agreement
How to enroll
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Step 1
Get DOH-certified
Choose the training, ancestral or experiential, or endorsement pathway. The ancestral or experiential route requires three letters, including one from a licensed provider, community organization, practicing doula, or midwife. Fees are waived through June 30, 2027.
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Step 2
Get your free Type 1 NPI
NPPES, taxonomy 374J00000X. If you'd rather not bill independently, you can instead attach as a servicing provider under an agency's Type 2 NPI.
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Step 3
Enroll in ProviderOne
ProviderOne is Apple Health's claims system. Independent billing also requires a Washington business license. HCA and the Doulas4All coalition offer enrollment office hours for help with the application.
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Step 4
Bill HCA directly, no MCO contracting
The benefit is paid outside managed care. Bill HCA through ProviderOne even when the client belongs to a managed care plan. You do not need a separate contract with that plan for doula services.
How you get paid
The doula benefit is carved out of managed care. Enrolled doulas bill HCA through ProviderOne, including for clients who belong to managed care plans, and do not need separate plan contracts. Independent billers must also hold a Washington business license.
What to plan for
DOH certification and HCA enrollment are separate. Independent billers also need a business license and professional liability insurance, then must learn ProviderOne claims. HCA and Doulas4All offer enrollment help.
Where to get help
- HCA: Doulas (Apple Health) (billing guides, enrollment sessions, program updates)
- DOH Birth Doula Certification (the three certification pathways and fee waivers)
- Doulas4All Coalition (Surge Reproductive Justice) (enrollment parties, office hours, and the statewide hub design work)
- Open Arms Perinatal Services (Seattle community-based doula organization)
Sources and last checked
We checked these details on July 25, 2026.
- HCA birth doula billing guide (July 1, 2026)
- RCW 18.47 (birth doula certification)
- HCA doula hub & referral legislative report (2025)
- DOH birth doula certification requirements
- HCA ProviderOne doula questions and answers
This is general educational information, not legal, billing, or enrollment advice. Rules and rates can change between reviews. Confirm the current provider manual, payment schedule, and health-plan contract before you apply or bill. Junie can create a payment receipt labeled as a superbill, but the current output derives its dates and descriptions from payment records and must be checked against the recipient's requirements. A superbill is not a Medicaid claim. Junie does not currently enroll providers in Medicaid or submit Medicaid claims. Found an error? Email hello@junie.app.