TDN Doulas are Change Agents

The Doula Network (TDN) is a doula-owned and managed organization that creates pathways for community-based birth doulas to be fully recognized maternal health professionals eligible for Medicaid and private insurance reimbursement.

TDN was established in 2019 with a fundamental belief that every birthing person should have access to affordable, safe, and collaborative perinatal care, and doulas should be considered an indispensable part of the birthing person's care team. Our objective is to unite key stakeholders such as doulas, health plan teams, community-based organizations, and Medicaid members to advocate for Medicaid reimbursement. We leverage technology, administrative support, and community resources to ease the burden of the Medicaid billing process. TDN envisions transforming maternal and infant health by providing doula services to every birthing person.

TDN pioneered a foundational system of doula services that is integrated into maternal health care. By aligning doulas, clients, health plans, communities, and technology, TDN improves the maternal health experience, maternal and infant outcomes, and reduces healthcare cost.

What is The Doula Network?

In the fall of 2019, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan (UHC) and TDN embarked on an inaugural partnership to impact maternal health outcomes across Florida.

Together TDN and UHC created a referral network for UHC members in the Healthy First Steps Program. The Healthy First Steps Program provides expectant families with care management including information, education and support throughout their pregnancy journey. During monthly meetings of the Healthy First Steps Program and TDN, the TDN team shares monthly reporting of all members and discusses client updates. These meetings have created a strong web of support for expectant persons within UHC’s Healthy First Steps Program.

Due to the commitment of UHC to its pregnant members and the innovative program created by TDN, UHC members are able to receive doula services in all regions that UHC serves.

TDN and UnitedHealthcare

Community Plan

When I founded TDN in 2019, I imagined building a strong and robust network in Florida. I dreamed of expanding this work to other states one day - sometime in the future. I was keenly aware of some of the struggles that were coming by building a company that works within Medicaid. What I didn't know or expect was the explosive growth of not just TDN but of the interest in doula services. TDN has grown rapidly and now works in more than 10. We have contracts with over 20 health insurance carriers, including commercial insurance, employer health plans, and Medicaid plans.

In addition, the TDN team now includes 18 full time staff members remotely working from more than 7 states. There have been many challenges including working within the complex system of Medicaid while navigating different states and doula policies. However, with the support of a strong team, TDN has built a foundation that can hold the growth and support doula organizations in many different states As I look ahead, I do so with gratitude, awe, and joy at what has happened so far. I have hope, excitement, and justified anticipation for the growth that TDN will continue to experience.

~Elizabeth Simmons

A Note From Our CEO...

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TDN Support Team

COO

Brianna Betton

Birth Doula

Brianna Betton is a passionate advocate for reproductive health and justice. During her undergraduate experience, Brianna found herself frustrated by discussing problems within maternity care without talking about solutions. She entered the maternal health space as a patient advocate at a local abortion clinic. This experience led her to become a birth doula in 2020. Through working as a hospital-based doula, Brianna saw first hand how doulas were undervalued as a member of the birthing person’s care team. Her passion for ensuring that doulas voices were both heard and respected, transformed into her role at The Doula Network. Brianna’s top priorities are increasing access to insurance reimbursement across the country, advocating for equitable reimbursement rates, and ensuring doula’s access to birth spaces.

CEO and Founder

Elizabeth Simmons

Birth Doula

Elizabeth is a passionate advocate for maternal health and the founder and CEO of The Doula Network. She has over 15 years of experience in the field of maternal health, beginning her career as a birth doula in 2007. In 2014, she opened a free-standing birth center in Boulder, Colorado, which is now an integrated facility within the community hospital system. She served as the Industry Relations Chair for the American Association of Birth Centers and has spent the last 13 years of her career dedicated to building networks and partnerships with health plans to support perinatal health. In 2019, Elizabeth launched The Doula Network to create a foundational system of doula services. The Doula Network is a national organization that provides support to doulas, health plans, and birthing people. Elizabeth is a strong believer in the power of doulas to improve maternal and child health outcomes. She is committed to making doula services accessible to all families, regardless of their income or insurance status. She is also passionate about educating the public about the benefits of doula care and a visionary leader who is working to make doula care a standard part of the birthing person’s care journey.