TRICARE Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration

Who’s able to provide support services?

The TRICARE Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration covers support services from:

• Certified non-medical labor doulas who meet CBSD certification and participation requirements
• Certified lactation consultants
• Certified lactation counselors

Note: As of Jan. 1, 2025, labor doulas have updated certification and participation requirements.

The CBSD runs from Jan. 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2031. It expanded overseas on Jan. 1, 2025. 

Childbirth Support

How do I qualify for doula services?

You must:

• Have TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Prime Remote, or TRICARE Select
• Be at least 20 weeks pregnant
• Plan to give birth outside a military hospital or clinic
• See a TRICARE-authorized provider for your birth event

What types of doula services are covered?

TRICARE covers up to six hours of visits by a certified labor doula . These hours can be split into 15-minute increments any way you’d like. You also get one untimed visit during birth.

Breastfeeding Support

How do I qualify for lactation or breastfeeding support services?

You must:

• Have TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Prime Remote, or TRICARE Select
• Be at least 27 weeks pregnant
• Qualify for TRICARE’s breastfeeding support benefit

Don’t qualify for breastfeeding support services under the CBSD? You may qualify under TRICARE’s existing breastfeeding support benefit.

What are covered lactation and breastfeeding support services?

TRICARE covers the following services. It’s at no additional cost if in the network.

• Lactation consultants
  • Non-medical professionals who complete the highest level of breastfeeding training
  • Provide a full range of breastfeeding care, including support for breastfeeding complications
  • Must meet certain qualifications if non-network
  • Can provide either individual or group breastfeeding support services under the CBSD
• Lactation counselors
  • Non-medical professionals who have certification to provide breastfeeding counseling to support normal lactation and breastfeeding parents
  • Must meet certain qualifications if non-network
  • Can provide either individual or group breastfeeding support services under the CBSD
• Group breastfeeding counseling
  • Must be run by a:
    • Lactation consultant
    • Lactation counselor
    • TRICARE-authorized provider
  • Also includes prenatal breastfeeding education

Note: TRICARE may cover individual breastfeeding counseling by other TRICARE providers. This is under TRICARE’s breastfeeding counseling benefit.

Get Services in the U.S.

If you’re eligible for CBSD services:

• You’re automatically enrolled when you submit claims for CBSD-covered services.
• You don’t need referrals, in most cases.
  • Do you have TRICARE Prime? You'll need a referral from your primary care manager to see a non-network provider. Point-of-service fees may apply without a referral.

Not sure if you qualify? Call your regional contractor.

How do I find providers in the U.S.?

• Doulas: You must use a network provider or a non-network participating provider. You can’t use non-network nonparticipating providers. You can’t use virtual doula services.
• Breastfeeding support: You may use a network provider or a non-network provider. If you use a non-network provider, the provider may bill you up to 15% of the amount TRICARE pays for your care. You can use virtual lactation and breastfeeding support services.
• Provider directories:
  • East Region network providers
  • East Region non-network providers
  • West Region network providers
  • West Region non-network providers

Need help finding a provider? Call your regional contractor.

Get Services Overseas

• You must register for the CBSD before you get any services. Contact International SOS to register and get help finding providers. 
• Tip: Register as early in your pregnancy as possible. You should register even if you don’t see providers in your area directory. This helps us learn where providers are needed. After you register, International SOS will let you know within 14 days if they can find a TRICARE-authorized provider.
• Note: TRICARE won’t cover CBSD services you got overseas before Jan. 1, 2025.

Information for Providers

Learn how to join the TRICARE network.

Learn about childbirth support doula service rates.