Beginning Sept. 1, certified community-based doulas (CCBDs), lactation consultants, and lactation counselors can begin enrolling as Arkansas Medicaid providers, marking another step toward implementing two maternal health laws passed in 2025.
For CCBDs, the milestone follows passage of Act 965, which established a state certification process for community-based doulas and requires Medicaid and private insurers to reimburse for doula care. The legislation grew out of work by the Doula Alliance of Arkansas (DA-AR), with support from Excel by Eight, to ensure certified community-based doulas had a voice in shaping how their profession would be recognized and reimbursed. E8 and DA-AR have remained engaged with state partners as the law moves toward implementation.
“Opening Medicaid enrollment is an important milestone for Arkansas doulas and the families we serve,” said Liyah Wasson, executive director of the Doula Alliance of Arkansas. “We’re ready to help doulas navigate this next step and continue working to make doula care more accessible to families across the state.”
Certified community-based doulas can learn more about Medicaid enrollment and ask questions about implementation during a legislative update panel at the Doula Alliance of Arkansas conference on Oct. 3 in Pine Bluff. Additionally, more information about the certification process for community-based doulas is available at doulaallianceofar.org/certification.
Act 627 created a similar reimbursement pathway for breastfeeding and lactation consultant services through Medicaid and private insurance. Beginning Sept. 1, eligible lactation consultants and counselors can also begin the Medicaid enrollment process.
The next phase will be ensuring providers can successfully enroll and families can begin benefiting from the expanded coverage these laws created.
To receive future Arkansas Medicaid updates about provider enrollment and implementation, complete this form to join DHS’s Interested Parties List.
