HUSKY Maternity Bundle

Doula Integration

The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) plans to incorporate access to doula services as a core feature of the upcoming HUSKY Health Maternity Bundle Payment program. The goal for the additional high-value services is to bridge the equity gaps in maternity care for historically marginalized birthing people, including those with substance use disorders, and help to achieve the aims of the Maternity Bundle, which include reducing maternal mortality, improving maternal health outcomes and member experiences, and improving health equity for birthing people in Connecticut (CT).

Under the new program, practices will receive additional funds from the HUSKY Health program to add doulas to the care team and to strengthen lactation support. Doula services will be rendered and reimbursed under the supervision of the medical provider through the bundle. This means the medical provider will set the overall care plan and hold professional responsibility for the doula’s services, while the doula will use their professional judgment in performing services to the full extent of their scope of practice. 

In preparation for the doula integration, DSS and Community Health Network of Connecticut Inc.® (CHNCT), selected Primary Maternity Care (PMC) to support the design, planning, and successful integration of doula services into the bundle. PMC worked closely with Health Equity Solutions (HES), a CT-based organization whose vision is for every CT resident to attain optimal health regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, for the duration of the project.

To assist practices, doulas, hospitals and health systems, and other stakeholders in operationalizing the doula integration, PMC and HES created a toolkit of materials meant to support the implementation efforts. These materials were developed with input from CT doulas, practice managers, and providers.

Doula Certification

As required by Public Act No. 23-147, the CT Department of Public Health (DPH) will establish a doula certification process by October 1, 2023. The state certification process will enable direct Medicaid reimbursement of doulas. DSS anticipates implementing direct Medicaid reimbursement of certified doulas as a separate but parallel doula payment pathway to the bundle in 2024. However, until the certification and direct reimbursement policies and procedures are developed and operationalized, doulas will only be eligible to be reimbursed for providing services to HUSKY Health members through a professional services agreement with a clinical provider in the maternity bundle. DPH certification will not be required for participation in the bundle payment, although providers may choose to rely on DPH certification as part of their credentialing requirements in lieu of defining their own certification standards.

About the Toolkit

The documents within the toolkit fall into three categories:

  • Resources
  • Form templates
  • Model policies

The materials have been grouped by category below. The documents may be adapted to each practice arrangement, as DSS anticipates integration will take many forms. Most documents contain an introductory section describing relevant background and how to use the material.

Please note: Files indicated below can be found on the Documents page of this website

Resources

  • Maternity Bundle Payment Program Doula Integration Webinars
  • Credentialing + Certification Assistance: Doula training programs vs. DPH core competencies - File name: 111662 - Doula Training Programs vs Core Competencies_083123_v1
  • Partnership + Referral Workflow Description (Coming soon)
  • Referral Workflow Visual Aid (Coming soon)
  • Doula Services Financial Flow Example - File name: 111085 - Doula Benefit Financial Flow Scenarios_071223_v2_CMPL_07142023
  • HUSKY Health Member Frequently Asked Questions (Coming soon)
  • Doula Frequently Asked Questions (Coming soon)
  • Provider Frequently Asked Questions (Coming soon)

Policies

  • Doula Job Description – File name: 111085 - CT HUSKY Doula Job Description_071223_v1 (1)
  • Hospital/Provider Doula Policy - File name: 111662 - Doula Policy_090723_v2
  • Doula Fee Schedule - File name: 111662 - Doula Fee Schedule_083123_v1

Form Templates

  • Doula Referral Form - File name: 111662 - CT HUSKY Doula Referral Form_083123_v1 
  • Member Prenatal Education about Doulas - File name: 111662 - HUSKY Health member doula education handout_083123_v1
  • Doula Invoice – File name:  111085 - Doula Invoice_071223_v1
  • Doula Reporting Form - File name: 111085 - Doula Invoice Reporting Spreadsheet_071223_v1
  • Member Satisfaction Survey - File name: 111662 - Doula Integration Member Satisfaction Survey_083123_v1