Find Free Doulas and Medicaid-Covered Doula Services in Jacksonville, Florida
If you’re an expecting parent in Jacksonville, Florida, you might be wondering how to find affordable or free doula services to support you during your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey. The good news is that doulas who accept Medicaid—and even offer free services to those who qualify—are available to help you have a healthier, more positive experience.
At Soul Sista Birth Services, we’re passionate about ensuring every family has access to compassionate and professional doula care, regardless of income. Read on to learn how you can find free doulas or Medicaid-covered doula services in Jacksonville, Florida.
What Is a Doula and Why Do You Need One?
A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. Doulas are not medical professionals but work alongside your healthcare providers to ensure you feel supported and empowered every step of the way.
Research shows that having a doula can reduce the risk of medical interventions, shorten labor, and improve overall satisfaction with the birth experience. For families in Jacksonville, accessing doula support can make a big difference in maternal and infant health outcomes.
Free Doula Services Through Medicaid in Jacksonville, FL
Medicaid now covers doula services in Florida, and Soul Sista Birth Services proudly partners with Medicaid to provide free or low-cost doula support for eligible families. If you’re enrolled in a Medicaid-managed care plan, you may qualify for doula services at no cost to you.
We Work with These Medicaid Plans in Florida:
Sunshine Health
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
Humana Healthy Horizons
Simply Healthcare
Molina Healthcare
Each Medicaid plan offers different levels of doula coverage, so it’s essential to check with your plan or contact us to determine your eligibility.
What Services Are Covered?
Our Medicaid-covered and free doula services in Jacksonville include:
Pregnancy Support
Assistance with birth planning
Emotional and informational support during pregnancy
Education on what to expect during labor and delivery
Birth Support
Continuous support during labor and delivery
Advocacy to ensure your voice is heard in the birth space
Pain management techniques like breathing exercises and position changes
Postpartum Care
Help with newborn care, including feeding, diapering, and soothing
Support for C-section recovery
Light housework to help you adjust to life with a newborn
Referrals for postpartum mental health support
At Soul Sista Birth Services, we also connect families with community resources for baby essentials like diapers, wipes, and car seats.
How to Apply for Free Doula Services in Jacksonville
Getting started is easy! If you’re a pregnant or postpartum parent on Medicaid in Jacksonville, simply visit our website to fill out a quick application. Once we confirm your eligibility, we’ll match you with a skilled, compassionate doula ready to support you.
Our team specializes in working with underserved populations, including Black families, LGBTQ+ parents, survivors of domestic violence, and families navigating homelessness or Child Protective Services (CPS) cases. We believe everyone deserves quality care during this transformative time.
Why Choose Soul Sista Birth Services?
Soul Sista Birth Services is Jacksonville’s trusted provider of Medicaid-covered and free doula services. We’ve been serving Florida families since 2019, helping hundreds of parents access the care they need for a healthier, happier pregnancy and postpartum experience.
When you choose us, you’re choosing:
Experienced and professional doulas
Personalized care tailored to your needs
A commitment to improving maternal health outcomes in underserved communities
Don’t Wait—Get the Support You Deserve Today
Whether you’re looking for free doulas or doulas who accept Medicaid in Jacksonville, Florida, Soul Sista Birth Services is here to help. Don’t navigate this journey alone—our team is ready to support you every step of the way.
Visit our website today to apply for services or contact us to learn more about your options.
5 Reasons Doulas Should Get Credentialed to Provide Doula Services Through Medicaid
As a doula, your work changes lives. You provide physical, emotional, and informational support to birthing people and their families, ensuring they have a positive and empowering experience. But if you’re not credentialed to provide services through Medicaid, you could be leaving money—and impact—on the table.
Getting credentialed to provide doula support through Medicaid can be a game-changer for your business and the families you serve. Here are five compelling reasons to make the leap.
1. Expand Your Client Base
Credentialing allows you to serve families who rely on Medicaid for healthcare. Many of these families, especially those in underserved communities, may not have access to doula support without Medicaid coverage. By becoming credentialed, you’re opening the door to provide much-needed services to clients who might not otherwise afford them.
In addition to expanding your impact, you’re also growing your business by tapping into a larger, more consistent client base. With Medicaid’s reimbursement, you can count on steady income from your work.
2. Address Health Disparities in Your Community
The maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the U.S. are disproportionately high for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. Credentialed doulas can help address these disparities by providing culturally competent care to Medicaid clients who are often part of these at-risk groups.
By working through Medicaid, you’re stepping up as a change-maker, ensuring that everyone—not just those who can pay out of pocket—has access to the life-saving support that doulas provide.
3. Create a Sustainable Income Stream
Let’s face it: Doula work is deeply fulfilling, but it can be financially inconsistent. Many doulas struggle with gaps between clients or clients who struggle to pay for services.
Medicaid reimbursement provides a reliable and sustainable income stream, allowing you to grow your business without worrying about inconsistent cash flow. With more states adopting Medicaid funding for doula services, now is the perfect time to secure your spot as a credentialed provider.
4. Gain Recognition and Credibility
When you’re credentialed through Medicaid, it validates your expertise as a doula. You’re recognized as a professional healthcare provider who meets established standards for education, training, and competency.
This credibility can elevate your brand, making you a sought-after doula in your community. Additionally, being credentialed opens doors to partnerships with hospitals, birth centers, and healthcare organizations that value collaborative care.
5. Be a Pioneer in a Growing Field
Medicaid coverage for doula services is still relatively new, which means credentialed doulas are trailblazers in this evolving industry. By getting credentialed, you’re positioning yourself as a leader and paving the way for others in the birthwork community.
This also allows you to advocate for better reimbursement rates, improved policies, and expanded coverage as Medicaid doula programs continue to grow. Your voice matters, and being credentialed gives you a seat at the table.
Bonus: It’s Easier Than You Think to Get Started
The process of Medicaid credentialing may seem daunting, but with the right guidance, it’s entirely doable. At Soul Sista Birth Services, we specialize in helping doulas navigate Medicaid credentialing, contracting, and billing. Whether you want to learn the process through our step-by-step courses or have us handle it for you, we’re here to make it easy.
Take the Leap and Get Credentialed Today
Credentialing to provide doula support through Medicaid is more than a business decision—it’s a way to amplify your impact, support underserved families, and build a sustainable career as a doula.
Ready to take the next step? Visit our website to learn how we can help you get credentialed and start making a difference in your community today.
Postpartum Doula Support For Medicaid Moms
Postpartum Support for Medicaid Moms: What’s Covered and How to Get Help
Welcoming a new baby is a beautiful experience, but let’s be real—it can also be overwhelming, especially when you don’t have enough support. At Soul Sista Birth Services, we understand how important it is for Black moms to have the care they deserve during the postpartum period. That’s why we proudly offer postpartum doula support for Medicaid moms, designed to help you recover, bond with your baby, and get the care you need.
Here’s a breakdown of what postpartum support looks like with us and how you can access these Medicaid-covered services to make your postpartum journey easier.
What’s Included in Postpartum Doula Services?
Every Medicaid plan has different coverage, but at Soul Sista Birth Services, we’ve tailored our postpartum services to address your unique needs. Here’s what we offer:
Newborn Care
Feeding (bottle or breastfeeding support)
Changing diapers (including cloth diapering)
Helping your baby nap peacefully
Dressing your baby and ensuring they’re comfortable
Let us take care of your little one so you can rest, recharge, or simply take some much-needed "me time."
Maternal Care
Support for C-section recovery, including light tasks to ease the healing process
Connection to community resources for mental health services, such as counseling for postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD
Emotional support to help you feel heard, validated, and cared for during this transformative time
Light Housework Duties
Washing dishes and tidying up around the home
Laundry (yes, even the baby’s endless supply of onesies!)
Grocery shopping and meal prep, ensuring you and your family stay nourished
Patient Education
Our postpartum doulas empower you with knowledge and skills that make parenting easier. We provide:
Breastfeeding support and education
Diapering tutorials, including cloth diapering
Babywearing guidance so you can bond with your baby hands-free
Newborn care tips
Parenting classes to build confidence in raising your little one
What’s Covered by Medicaid Plans?
The postpartum services covered depend on your Medicaid Managed Organization (MCO). Here’s what to expect from some of the major plans:
Sunshine Health & Simply Health: Free, unlimited postpartum doula visits, including support for newborn and maternal care.
United Healthcare: Coverage includes up to two postpartum visits after birth.
Humana: Four postpartum visits covered, along with newborn and maternal care.
Each Medicaid plan is different, so it’s always best to double-check your coverage. Regardless of your plan, Soul Sista Birth Services is here to make the process as seamless as possible.
Why Choose Soul Sista Birth Services?
At Soul Sista Birth Services, we specialize in supporting Medicaid moms, and we know firsthand the unique challenges Black moms face during the postpartum period. Our goal is to make sure you feel supported, respected, and cared for while you heal and adjust to life with your baby.
We understand that every mom’s situation is different, and that’s why we offer customizable postpartum care services. Whether you need help with your baby, recovery, household tasks, or education, we’ve got you covered.
How to Apply for Postpartum Doula Services
Applying for Medicaid-covered postpartum doula services with us is quick and easy. Just head over to our website and fill out the application form. Once we receive your information, we’ll guide you through the process of getting the care you need.
You Deserve Support, Mama
The postpartum period can be tough, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Soul Sista Birth Services is here to lighten the load, give you space to rest, and make sure you have all the tools and support you need to thrive.
Take the first step by visiting our website and applying for postpartum doula services today. You’ve got this—and we’re here to help every step of the way.
Understanding The Community Doula Program: What it means for Moms on Medicaid
The Community Doula Program is a revolutionary initiative made up of doulas who live and work in the very communities they serve. This unique setup gives these doulas an unparalleled advantage: they intimately understand the challenges and needs of their clients because they see them firsthand every day. This deep connection allows community doulas to fill the gaps in care and support that traditional healthcare systems often overlook.
Medicaid Doula Coverage: A Game-Changer for Florida Families
In 2019, Florida took a groundbreaking step by expanding Medicaid coverage to include doula services as an added benefit. **Today, all Medicaid plans in Florida cover doula services** for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care. However, the amount of support available depends on the specific Medicaid plan:
- **Simply Healthcare and Sunshine Health:** Unlimited doula services are provided at no cost to patients.
- **UnitedHealthcare:** Covers 3 prenatal visits, labor support, and 2 postpartum visits.
- **Humana:** Offers 4 prenatal visits, labor support, and 4 postpartum visits.
This Medicaid-funded support is transformative for low-income families who might otherwise never have access to doula care. Community doulas step into these roles as culturally relatable and compassionate advocates for parents who often feel marginalized or unheard within the healthcare system.
Doula Services: A Critical Need for Black Families
For Black families, doula services aren’t a luxury—they’re a necessity The history of obstetrics in the United States is steeped in the exploitation, experimentation, and dehumanization of Black bodies, and echoes of these practices persist in modern healthcare. Black birthing people have consistently reported feeling dismissed, ignored, and subjected to traumatic or abusive experiences during childbirth.
The statistics are alarming: Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, and Black infants face significantly higher mortality rates. These outcomes are not due to biological differences but systemic racism and disparities in care.
Doula care offers a powerful solution. **Doulas provide advocacy, emotional support, and practical assistance** that can mean the difference between life and death for Black mothers and their babies. With Medicaid now making doula services accessible, this vital support system is finally within reach for those who need it most.
Community Doulas: Advocates for Dignity and Respect
Community doulas are on the frontlines, ensuring that every birthing person—especially Black birthing people—can experience childbirth with dignity, respect, and autonomy. Whether clients choose a hospital, birth center, or home birth, doulas are there to amplify their voices and advocate for their needs.
Access to doula care through Medicaid helps address the Black maternal and infant mortality crisis by ensuring:
- Culturally competent care:Community doulas often share similar backgrounds and lived experiences with their clients, fostering trust and understanding.
- Advocacy during labor and delivery: Doulas help parents communicate effectively with healthcare providers, ensuring they are heard and respected.
- Postpartum support: By addressing postpartum recovery, newborn care, and even mental health needs, doulas set families up for long-term success.
A Call to Action
The Medicaid-funded Community Doula Program is a gift to underserved communities, but it’s also a necessity. Every birthing person deserves access to the support and advocacy they need to thrive. As we continue the fight against systemic racism in healthcare, we must uplift and expand initiatives like these to ensure no one is left behind.
To Black birthing people: you deserve care that honors your humanity. You deserve to be heard. You deserve to give birth with dignity and respect.Our Community doulas at Soul Sista Birth Services are here to make that a reality, one birth at a time.
-Cherise