Paying for Doula Support

There’s one thing we are a bit biased, doula support is worth the investment. However, that investment can be a bit challenging for our clients. 

Depending on the benefits of your health insurance, there may be some help on the matter! We have found the most luck with clients being reimbursed or paying outright with their Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). 

Please note: The information in this blog is general information, and you should always check with your specific plan and provider to ensure it applies to you. 

Using Your HSA or FSA Account to Pay For Doula Support

Unfortunately, we have not found a health insurance plan that will outright pay for or reimburse someone for the cost of doula support. However, we have had success with clients paying for our services with an HSA or FSA account. The IRS allows you to pay for doula care out of your HSA or FSA account if your doctor agrees that the care is medically necessary to treat a medical condition (in this case, pregnancy and childbirth). I know, pregnancy and childbirth as a medical condition…but let’s just go with it. 

Reimbursement From HSA or FSA Account for Doula Payments 

If you would like to be reimbursed from your HSA or FSA, there are a few steps to follow:

1. Pay your doula support fee in full and receive an invoice stating the service and cost of the service

2. Fill out a Letter of Medical Necessity form. You can get this form directly from your HSA, or a generic one can be found online.

3. You will need to have your medical provider sign this affirming that you have the medical condition of being pregnant. 

4. File your invoice and Letter of Medical Necessity form with your HSA/FSA. This can usually be done online. It is recommended that you keep your paperwork in case you are ever audited. 

5. Enjoy your doula support that was reimbursed from your HSA or FSA!

While it sounds complicated, and a bit cumbersome to get your doctor to “diagnosis” you as pregnant, we will feel that it is worth it!

Using Your HSA/FSA Card to Directly Pay for Doula Support

If you plan permits you to pay directly with your HSA/FSA card, we can accept those payments via our Square reader. Depending on your needs and funds available, we can set up a payment plan or send an invoice for the full amount. We will work with you based on your needs!

Massage Therapy and HSA or FSA

Much like reimbursement directly from you HSA or FSA, you will need a doctor to write you a prescription for massage. Whether that is because you are having severe hip or sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy, lower back pain, pregnancy induced carpal tunnel, or other physical discomforts caused by being pregnant, a prescription is required for massage therapy to be usually covered by your HSA or FSA. 

Paying for Placenta Encapsulation with your HSA or FSA 

This one is a bit more tricky. If you a provider that is on board, you may be able to get a prescription and Letter of Medical Necessity. If your provider approves it, then you may be able to get a reimbursement.

If you are interested what else could be covered by your HSA/FSA, check out this site for a complete list.

We hope this information has helped you see that doula payments are not out of reach, especially if you have a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Plan! Please let us know if you have any questions!