Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration

TRICARE covers some services from labor doulas as well as lactation consultants and counselors. This is part of a temporary, five-year demonstration to support childbirth and breastfeeding; the goal is to explore possible changes to these types of services. This program is not offered at military hospitals and clinics.

Who's Eligible?

To get these services, you must have TRICARE Prime or Select. 

What Providers Does TRICARE Cover and What Services Do They Provide?

• Lactation counselors provide parents with support and advice for breastfeeding healthy, full-term infants.
• Lactation consultants offer a full-range of breastfeeding care. They have advanced training and help with any issues.
• Certified labor doulas support birthing parents before, during, and after labor. They are non-medical professionals who receive specialized training; they provide physical, emotional, and informational support during the labor process.

Be sure your counselor, consultant, or doula is TRICARE authorized before you receive care. This can help you avoid unexpected costs.

How Can I Find a Network Provider?

To find a network provider, you can search by specialty, such as “doula,” “lactation consultant,” or “lactation counselor;” you can also search by provider and ZIP Code.

Do I Need a Referral?

If you are eligible for this demonstration, then you don’t need a referral.

If you have TRICARE Prime, you may have additional charges for care from non-network providers without a referral.

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