Insurance Health Plans for Doula Supports

How to Use Insurance for Doula Services

​​

Several health insurance plans in Ireland offer coverage for doula support, particularly for postnatal care. Some plans include doula support as part of broader maternity benefits, while others offer it through specific programs or partnerships. It's essential to check your individual plan details, as coverage can vary, and some plans may require a referral letter from a registered medical provider. 

​

Doulas are an invaluable part of pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care, offering emotional, physical, and educational support to families. However, many families may not realise that these services can sometimes be covered by health insurance. Carrot Fertility is one such provider that now includes coverage for doula services, making it easier for families to access the support they need. If you’re a family looking to make use of Carrot Fertility’s benefits, here’s what you need to know.

​

What Does Carrot Fertility Cover?

Carrot offers coverage for several aspects of doula care. Prenatal support is included, allowing families to prepare for birth with the help of a doula. This can involve discussions on birth preferences, emotional preparation, and visits during pregnancy. By ensuring families are well-prepared, doulas help create a solid foundation for a positive birth experience.

During labour and birth, Carrot also covers continuous doula support. This support helps families through the challenges of labour, providing comfort measures, advocacy, and reassurance. Having a doula present during childbirth has been shown to improve outcomes and reduce medical interventions, making this an essential service for many families.

In the postnatal period, Carrot continues its support by covering doula visits after birth. These visits are crucial in helping families adjust to life with a newborn. Postnatal doulas offer breastfeeding support, newborn care education, and emotional support to help ease the transition into parenthood. This ongoing care ensures that families feel supported long after the birth itself.

​​

If you qualify for the Carrot Fertility benefit, the first step is to contact your employer or benefits manager and get the exact details of what coverage is included in your plan. Benefits vary widely depending on your employer's plan—many cover up to six weeks of daytime and overnight doula care (up to 16 hours per day), including prenatal and birth support, while others might offer different options.

​

How Families Can Access Doula Services Through Carrot Health

For families with Carrot Health insurance, accessing doula services is a simple process but requires following the correct steps. First, it’s important to check with your Carrot Health representative to understand exactly what doula services are covered under your plan. Each plan may have different limits and conditions, so it’s essential to be clear on what’s available to you.

Next, you will need to choose a Carrot-approved doula. Not all doulas are eligible for Carrot Health reimbursement, but many members of the Irish Trade and Professional Association for Doulas CLG are qualified and experienced in working with Carrot insurance. After selecting your doula, you will sign a contract and pay for the services upfront. In most cases, Carrot Health operates on a reimbursement model, meaning you’ll need to submit the necessary receipts to claim your costs back.​​​​​

​​

Why hire an ITPAD doula?

All of our members are bound by the ITPAD Code of Conduct, are Garda vetted, have undergone training, have appropriate insurance and are recommended to be tax compliant.

​

​

​