About
Mae is a maternal health platform designed to improve birth outcomes by pairing pregnant individuals with community-based doulas and dedicated care coordinators. Operating across 11 states, Mae integrates directly with insurance plans — including Medicaid — so members receive high-quality doula support at no out-of-pocket cost. The platform has demonstrated measurable impact: a 41% reduction in preterm birth rates and a 26% reduction in c-section rates among supported populations. Mae's model is rooted in equity-centered design, with Black maternal health at its core, addressing systemic disparities in maternity care. Each participant is matched with a trusted doula who advocates for them, answers questions, and provides emotional and informational support before, during, and after birth. A care coordinator works alongside the doula to help navigate insurance benefits and grant access to on-demand classes, expert resources, and live educational sessions. Mae serves three key audiences: expectant mothers who benefit from personalized guidance; doulas who gain streamlined billing, Medicaid reimbursement support, insurance access, and client matching at no cost; and health plans seeking to improve maternal health quality metrics while reducing costs. The platform's community-driven approach and measurable outcomes make it a compelling solution for closing equity gaps and supporting healthier births across diverse populations.
Key Features
- Insurance & Medicaid Integration: Mae integrates directly with insurance plans and Medicaid, making doula support free for eligible members with no out-of-pocket cost.
- Personalized Doula Matching: Each user is matched with a trusted, community-based doula who advocates for them throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.
- Dedicated Care Coordinator: Alongside a doula, users receive a care coordinator to navigate benefits and connect them with on-demand classes, resources, and live expert sessions.
- Equity-Centered Design: Built with Black maternal health at its core, Mae actively works to close systemic disparities and advance equitable outcomes across all populations.
- Proven Outcome Improvements: Mae has achieved a 41% reduction in preterm birth rates and a 26% reduction in c-section rates, with 72% doula utilization across its network.
Use Cases
- An expectant mother covered by Medicaid uses Mae to get matched with a doula who guides her through prenatal education, labor support, and postpartum recovery.
- A health plan partners with Mae to reduce preterm births and c-section rates among its maternity population, improving quality metrics and lowering costs.
- A community doula joins Mae's network to gain access to insurance-covered clients, streamlined billing, and Medicaid reimbursement support at no personal cost.
- A first-time mother uses Mae's on-demand classes and expert resources to learn about breastfeeding, labor preparation, and newborn care.
- A hospital system integrates Mae to provide equitable doula support to underserved Black maternal health populations, addressing systemic disparities in birth outcomes.
Pros
- Covered by Insurance: The service integrates with insurance and Medicaid, removing financial barriers so more mothers can access doula support.
- Measurable Health Impact: Clinical data shows significant reductions in preterm births and c-sections, giving users and health plans confidence in the program's effectiveness.
- Equity-First Approach: Designed with Black maternal health at its core, Mae prioritizes underserved communities where maternal health disparities are most severe.
- End-to-End Pregnancy Support: Support spans pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, plus on-demand education resources and live sessions for comprehensive care.
Cons
- Limited Geographic Availability: Mae currently operates in only 11 states, so not all pregnant individuals will have access to the program.
- Insurance Eligibility Required: Access depends on insurance or Medicaid coverage through a participating health plan, which may exclude some users.
- Not a Direct Medical Provider: Mae provides doula and care coordination support, not clinical medical care, so it supplements but does not replace OB/GYN or midwife services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Mae cost for expectant mothers?
Mae is covered by insurance and Medicaid for eligible members, meaning most users can access doula support at no out-of-pocket cost. Eligibility depends on your specific insurance plan.
How does Mae match me with a doula?
Mae's platform matches you with a trusted, community-based doula based on your needs and location. You'll also be paired with a dedicated care coordinator to support your full journey.
Is Mae available in my state?
Mae currently operates in 11 states. You can check availability by visiting meetmae.com and entering your location details.
How does Mae support doulas?
Mae provides doulas with seamless billing management, Medicaid reimbursement processing, access to insurance plans, and client matching — all at no cost to the doula.
How do health plans benefit from partnering with Mae?
Health plans that partner with Mae can improve maternal health quality outcomes and reduce costs by providing members with access to trusted, community-based doulas and care coordination services.
