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Visit notes
Medicaid doula visit note requirements
Visit notes usually need service dates, visit type, support provided, time or units, and any state-specific proof before claim prep.
What to keep with each visit
Start with these record categories, then open the state checklist for the exact rule.
- Client stateStart with the state where the client is covered. Each state can ask for different forms, notes, visit counts, or signatures.
- Service dateWrite down the date of the visit or service. This should match the claim and your private records.
- Visit typeNote whether the support was prenatal, labor and birth, postpartum, or another covered doula service in that state.
- Time and lengthKeep start time, end time, or total time when the state or payer asks for it.
- Support providedRecord the support provided, resources shared, referrals made, and education covered.
- Required proofKeep required forms, recommendations, signatures, prior approval notes, or delivery proof with the private record.
Choose your state checklist
State rules can change. Use the state checklist and payer instructions before using notes for a real claim.
Arizona
Hold ADHS doula certification (national/international certification does not qualify) and register with AHCCCS via APEP with a separate NPI.
California
Keep the DHCS standing recommendation or a written recommendation in the member record before billing.
Connecticut
Retain a handwritten or electronic recommendation, referral, or order from a licensed and enrolled CMAP/HUSKY Health practitioner.
District of Columbia
Confirm the beneficiary is eligible for DC Medicaid, Alliance, or Immigrant Children's Program coverage and keep the DC Medicaid beneficiary ID on the private client record.
Illinois
Become an Illinois Medicaid-Certified Doula (SIU) and enroll via IMPACT with taxonomy 374J00000X; bill FFS or through HealthChoice Illinois MCOs.
Kansas
KanCare covers doula services for dates of service on and after July 1, 2024, from confirmed conception through one year postpartum.
Louisiana
Verify Louisiana Medicaid eligibility and the correct FFS or Healthy Louisiana MCO submission path before billing.
Maryland
Enroll in ePREP as provider type "DL" (individual Type 1 NPI or group Type 2 NPI); maintain Maryland-approved certification, background check, and liability insurance.
Michigan
Submit fee-for-service claims in CHAMPS and follow Medicaid Health Plan billing instructions for managed-care members.
Minnesota
Document the member's name, visit date, length of time, what was done, discussed, and recommended, important concerns or follow-up advice, and the doula signature.
Missouri
MO HealthNet doula services require a physician or other licensed practitioner recommendation.
Nevada
Bill Provider Type 90 doula services with modifier U1.
New Jersey
All NJ FamilyCare doulas must enroll as fee-for-service providers and be able to serve fee-for-service members before MCO contracting.
New Mexico
SPA 24-0004 requires doula preventive services to be recommended by a physician or other licensed practitioner; keep the recommendation in the record.
New York
The NYSDOH statewide non-patient-specific standing order is effective June 10, 2026 and remains in effect for one year; verify a renewed or otherwise valid order before relying on it after that period.
Ohio
Classify the provider operation as Ohio Medicaid fee-for-service, managed care, or both before claim entry. FFS and each MCO use distinct submission and follow-up routes.
Oklahoma
OHCA written confirmation dated June 22, 2026 verifies 59899/HD reimburses $67.81 for prenatal and postpartum doula visits for dates of service on or after July 1, 2026; the historical $62.11 rate applied through June 30, 2026.
Oregon
Track whether the global package is complete before billing the global line.
Pennsylvania
Enroll as a certified perinatal doula in Medical Assistance (provider type 13, specialty 130). Under the April 2026 requirements, an individual is enrolled as not paid and may fee-assign to a provider-type-13 group; do not promise direct individual FFS payment.
Rhode Island
Bill only visits of 60 minutes or more; document the date, time/duration, and nature of each visit.
South Dakota
Doula services require a referral from a physician, physician assistant, certified nurse practitioner, or certified nurse midwife with whom the recipient had a face-to-face or telemedicine visit within the last 90 days (or the care management program provider for BabyReady, Primary Care Provider Program, or Care Connect members); referrals may be retroactive up to 60 days.
Utah
Utah's Medicaid doula benefit is effective for dates of service on and after April 1, 2026 (CMS-approved SPA).
Virginia
Retain the licensed-practitioner recommendation for doula care before services begin; the recommendation is not a prior authorization.
Washington
Document the date, duration, nature of care, coordination with medical or community resources, and referrals.
Source updates
State Watch email updates
Get an email when a reviewed state source changes. Choose a state and enter your email.
Do not include client names, Medicaid IDs, dates of birth, claim numbers, or visit notes. DoulaPaid saves your email, selected state, email preferences, and consent date.
Continue documentation checks in first-claim prep
After you understand what notes usually need, continue in the paid path without client details so documentation checks are saved beside state, service, setup, packet, and follow-up.
Check first-claim readiness
Choose the state, service category, codes, modifiers, units, and place of service. Do not enter a claim or patient record.
Included task: Check documentation needs
What stays outside DoulaPaid
- Claim submission stays with the payer, portal, group, or biller.
- Client names, Medicaid IDs, claim numbers, and visit notes stay in your secure records.
- Payment is never guaranteed.
- DoulaPaid stores only the provider setup choices you select.
Before you bill
Visit notes are one part of the bigger billing picture.
Common questions
What notes do doulas need for Medicaid billing?
Start with the client state, service date, visit type, time or length, support provided, and any required forms or signatures. The exact list depends on the state and payer instructions.
Can I put real visit notes into public pages?
No. Keep client names, Medicaid IDs, dates of birth, and real visit notes in private records.
Does a complete visit note guarantee payment?
No. A complete visit note can help with claim review, but the payer still decides based on eligibility, covered services, timing, policy, and claim details.