As a doula, you’re dedicated to providing compassionate, non-medical support to birthing families during one of the most transformative times of their lives. For those serving military families, being credentialed by TRICARE can open doors to working with a unique and often underserved population. Understanding TRICARE’s credentialing process is crucial for doulas who want to extend their services to military families, and choosing the right training is the first step.

As a veteran myself, I understand the unique challenges that military families face, from frequent relocations to the stress of deployment. This personal experience drives my commitment to ensuring that doulas are well-prepared to provide the best possible support to this community.

In this post, we’ll walk through the essentials of becoming a TRICARE-credentialed doula, why it’s important to choose a TRICARE-approved training program, and how you can make the most of this opportunity, especially if you’re considering MyCAA benefits.

Understanding TRICARE Coverage for Doulas

TRICARE, the health care program for U.S. military personnel and their families, offers a wide range of benefits, including the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD). This initiative includes coverage for Certified Labor Doulas (CLDs), making it possible for military families to receive doula support during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period.

Certified Labor Doulas under TRICARE provide non-medical support, which includes:

• Emotional support during pregnancy and labor.
• Physical comfort measures during labor.
• Assistance with the birthing plan and guidance on childbirth options.
• Support during the postpartum period.

This support can make a significant difference for military families, who often face unique challenges, such as frequent relocations and deployments. By becoming a TRICARE-credentialed doula, you can provide essential services to those who need them most.

The Credentialing Process: A General Overview

To work with TRICARE, doulas must meet specific credentialing requirements. Here’s a general overview of what you need to do:

1. Be at least 18 years old: This is the basic age requirement for all TRICARE-credentialed doulas.
2. Maintain CPR Certification: You must have a current certification in adult, child, and infant CPR.
3. Obtain a National Provider Identification (NPI) Number: This unique identification number is necessary for billing purposes.
4. No Sanctions: You should not have any current Medicare or Medicaid sanctions.
5. Professional Liability Insurance: While this is only required for network providers, having insurance is recommended.
6. Certification from an Approved Organization: Your certification must be from a recognized organization. Some of the approved organizations include:
   • DONA International
   • BirthWorks International (BWI)
   • Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA)
   • International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
   • National Black Doulas Association (NBDA)
   • ToLabor
7. 24 Education Hours: You must have completed a minimum of 24 education hours, covering key topics like the physiology of labor, labor doula training, and postpartum doula training. (This is your doula training from 6.)
8. Experience: You need to have provided continuous, in-person childbirth support as the primary doula for at least three births. (This would be the births you used for certification.)

Why Choosing the Right Training Matters

Selecting the right training program is not just about meeting TRICARE’s requirements; it’s about setting the foundation for your success as a doula. Not all doula training programs are created equal, and if you aim to be credentialed by TRICARE, you must ensure your certification is from an approved organization.

For example, DONA International is one of the organizations recognized by TRICARE. My training program is DONA-approved, meaning it aligns with TRICARE’s requirements, ensuring that you are well-prepared to become credentialed and start supporting military families.

Additionally, my training is covered by MyCAA (Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts), a program that provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance to eligible military spouses. This makes it an excellent option if you are looking to start or further your doula career without the burden of high out-of-pocket costs.