Doula Medicaid Billing: On Your Own vs. With Allies
Doulas can enroll with Medicaid, contract with each health plan and bill claims on their own. Here is what that takes, step by step, and what changes when Allies does it with you.
Start with Alliesto get credentialed with Allies
On your own: 3-6+ monthsfor Medicaid and every health plan with Allies
On your own: One per planto get paid with Allies
On your own: Each payer's scheduleStep by Step: On Your Own vs. With Allies
What it takes to get paid by Medicaid as a doula, from your NPI to staying enrolled, done yourself or through Allies.
| Task | On your own | With Allies |
|---|---|---|
| NPI | On your ownApply for a Type 1 NPI with NPPES, then use it on every form that follows. | With AlliesYou enter it once in the Allies application, and we check it against the national registry. |
| State Medicaid enrollment | On your ownFill in the state's fee-for-service enrollment yourself: in New York the enrollment, attestation, directory, recommendation, EFT and ETIN forms; in New Jersey the Gainwell application, provider agreement and fingerprinting. | With AlliesOne application covers it. We prepare and submit the state forms, and in New York an Allies notary handles the ETIN form with you on a call. |
| Health plan contracts | On your ownOnly after the state enrolls you, apply to every managed care plan one by one, each with its own forms, credentialing and contract. | With AlliesEnrolls you with each plan from the same application. You sign each plan's paperwork when it unlocks. |
| Time to get credentialed | On your ownOften 3-6 months or longer, since each plan credentials you separately after the state does. | With AlliesMost doulas are credentialed within 4-6 weeks, with every step's status in your profile. |
| Submitting claims | On your ownSet up electronic claims (an 837P through a clearinghouse or the state's system), then follow each plan's own billing instructions, codes and filing deadlines. | With AlliesLog the visit in the Allies portal: client, service, date, duration and place. We submit the claim. |
| Denied claims | On your ownWork out why each claim was denied and appeal through each payer's own process. | With AlliesOur billing team handles appeals and resubmissions and lets you know if we need anything. |
| Getting paid | On your ownOn each payer's schedule, by the direct deposit you set up with the state and each plan. | With AlliesEvery other Friday, by direct deposit, for every approved claim. |
| Staying enrolled | On your ownRevalidate with the state every five years, keep up continuing education where required, and keep each plan's credentialing current. | With AlliesYour profile shows when revalidation is due and which documents need updating. |
The Hours Allies Saves You
Roughly how many hours each step takes in your first year, done yourself or through Allies.
hours saved in your first year
93 on your own → 14.5 with Allies- NPI1h → 0.5h
- State Medicaid enrollment12h → 2h
- Health plan contracts25h → 2h
- Submitting claims40h → 10h
- Denied claims15h → 0h
Which Is Right for You?
Plenty of doulas enroll and bill on their own. It comes down to how many plans, clients and states you work with, and how you want to spend your time.
Doing it yourself can work if
- You already bill insurance for another practice and have a clearinghouse set up
- You see a few Medicaid clients a year, all with the same health plan
- You enjoy the paperwork and have time to follow up with each payer
In New Jersey, the state's Doula Guides and its Doula Assistant tool help with the fee-for-service application for free.
Allies saves you the most if
- Your clients are spread across several managed care plans
- You want to start taking Medicaid clients in weeks, not months
- You would rather spend your hours with families than on hold with payers
- You work, or plan to work, in more than one state
Allies made the entire process simple.
I was overwhelmed with all the paperwork and wasn't hearing back from insurance companies when I tried to apply on my own. Now I'm accepting insurance clients and my income has increased significantly while serving families who couldn't afford doula care before.
Gabby Anderson
Certified Doula, New York
The support team was incredibly helpful.
From day one, the team guided me through every step. The platform is intuitive and the results speak for themselves. My practice has grown beyond what I thought possible.
Sarah Mitchell
Birth Doula, California
I wish I had found this platform sooner.
The difference in my business has been night and day. Insurance billing used to be a nightmare, but now it's completely streamlined. I can focus on what I love most - supporting families.
Maria Rodriguez
Postpartum Doula, Texas
Doing It Yourself: FAQ
Each state's rules, rates and covered visits are on the pages for New York and New Jersey.
Medicaid facts checked November 4, 2026 against eMedNY Doula Services Policy Manual, NY Department of Health: Doula Provider Enrollment and NJ Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services: Doula Care.
Yes. In New York and New Jersey a doula can enroll with Medicaid as an individual provider and bill for their own services, without a supervising clinician. Allies does the enrollment and billing with you, but you can also do it yourself.
Yes. In both New York and New Jersey you enroll with the state's fee-for-service Medicaid program first, and only then apply to each managed care plan. Since April 1, 2025, New York doulas bill the member's managed care plan for members enrolled in one.
Often 3-6 months or longer, because each managed care plan credentials you on its own after the state enrolls you. Through Allies, most doulas are credentialed within 4-6 weeks.
An NPI, your state Medicaid enrollment, a contract with each health plan your clients use, a way to send electronic claims (an 837P through a clearinghouse or the state's system, which in New York means an ETIN), and each plan's billing instructions and filing deadlines.
A billing service submits claims for providers who are already enrolled, usually for a percentage of what it collects or a monthly or per-claim fee. Allies also does the credentialing that comes first, then submits your claims and pays you every two weeks.
No. New York charges individual doulas no application fee to enroll with Medicaid, and signing up with Allies is free with no membership fees.
Got questions?
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Still have questions about accepting insurance or how Allies can support your doula practice? Schedule a quick call with one of our specialists who can walk you through the process and answer any questions you might have.
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