DOULA FAQs

Considering working with Everyday Miracles? Read on to learn more about how it works.

Q: Who does Everyday Miracles work with?
A: Everyday Miracles works with everyone! Everyday Miracles is contracted to provide doula services, childbirth education and more to those with a Medicaid health plan. This includes those with Straight Medical Assistance or State-funded plans through Blue Plus, HealthPartners, UCare and others. We also work with individuals on private health plans, we just cannot bill for services, payments must be made out of pocket.

Q: Where does Everyday Miracles support births?
A: Our doulas work at every hospital in the metro area, though we most commonly have clients birthing in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. We also get referrals for clients birthing at birth centers, and occasionally, at home births.

Q: What qualifications do Everyday Miracles Doulas need?
A: Doulas must hold a current certification in one of the qualifying programs recognized by the State of Minnesota to work with Medicaid clients. These programs are listed on The Minnesota State Doula Registry.

Q: How are doulas matched with clients?
A: Doulas set their availability and profile (which areas of town they prefer to work within, populations they are most interested in working with and any other parameters they choose to share). Clients who are ready to be placed with a doula will be listed on a weekly basis for all the doulas to see. It is up to each doula to state interest in a particular client. From there, the Doula Program Coordinator will email further information on the client to all interested doulas for review. When reviewing a client, the doula will typically know the client’s estimated birthing time, address, chosen birth place, age, and any additional details/requests that has been shared with Everyday Miracles.

Q: Do Everyday Miracles Doulas get paid for their work?
A: YES! Our doulas are paid for the work they do; we pay our doulas based on what we can Medicaid bill for. Final invoice fee is based on how many visits a client has with a doula, and if the doula is present at the birth. Private paying clients will pay their doula based on individual rates.

Q: Are Everyday Miracles Doulas expected to do six visits with every client?
A: We aim for clients to have six visits with an Everyday Miracles doula (this encompasses visits done prenatally and postpartum), plus having the doula attend the birth. We also strongly encourage every client to attend classes, which count as a visit date to help get to six. The doula is not required to attend classes with clients for these to count as a visit. We offer prenatal yoga, childbirth education and more. Every client is different, so some will have the ability to attend classes and some will not.

Q: What is the approximate timeline for payment?
A: This can vary greatly, depending on how long it takes for Everyday Miracles to receive payment from insurance companies. We pay doulas as soon as we do. Timeline usually falls between 30-90 days after invoice submission. This timeframe can be longer or shorter, based on payment by insurance companies.

Q: Are doulas considered employees of Everyday Miracles? Are there any non-compete rules that doulas are bound by?
A: No. Doulas are brought on as independent contractors. We do not prohibit doulas from working with other doula programs (for example, hospital programs), or from working with their own private clients.

Q: How many clients do Everyday Miracles doulas work with per month?
A: This depends on the doula. We ask that our doulas accept at least one client per month.

Q: What happens after I accept a client?
A: Once a doula accepts a referral, we expect that the relationship and process will be similar to that of a private client. You will make yourself available for prenatal visits, plan to be available for the birth, arrange backup. In addition, you will continue to encourage the client to attend as many classes as possible (the office/admin staff will do this as well). If clients have needs outside your scope as doula, we can help assist you with additional resources to connect them with. You will attend their birth and do at least one postpartum visit. There is some required paperwork (data collection, participation forms, evaluations) that doulas are responsible for collecting and should be turned in with your invoice.

Q: In addition to supporting births, what else do you require of your doulas?
A: We ask that you make every effort to attend doula meetings (every other month), fundraising events (a few throughout the year), stay in touch with the Doula Coordinator, and volunteer at events occasionally. We also ask you to be willing to provide backup for your fellow doulas as needed, as you are able.