Doulas in Little Rock, AR

Brand-new benefit. CMS approved SPA AR-26-0004 on July 22, 2026, with a retroactive effective date of March 1, 2026, but DHS opened doula enrollment and billing on September 1, 2026 (Official Notice ON-049-26; provider manual sections dated 9-1-26), so 2026-09-01 is used as the practical start. DHS also pays for labor support at a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) or a cesarean after an attempted VBAC. Eligibility: pregnant or within 16 weeks postpartum; not enrolled in a Life360 HOME program; not already getting community health worker services from a CHW employed by an OB clinic. DHS obtained a statewide standing recommendation, so moms do not need a separate referral. The first visit must be in person and at least one visit must be in the mom's home; later prenatal/postpartum visits may be telehealth; labor support must be in person and not at home. No prior authorization for the standard 6 visits plus birth. Doulas who are also certified nurse-midwives cannot bill both for the same pregnancy. Arkansas DHS has no page for Medicaid members about the doula benefit yet.