Carrot Reimbursement: How Is Hands-On Care Experience Evaluated?
Our team has years of postpartum and newborn care experience, but our services are currently not eligible for Carrot reimbursement. Meanwhile, Asian Doula Alliance (ADA) states that Carrot accepts its certification. ADA’s published process includes four to five days of training followed by written and practical exams.
Our question for Carrot is straightforward: How do your eligibility criteria account for years of hands-on care experience? When accepting a certification, how do you evaluate its reading, practical experience, and assessment requirements?
For comparison, DONA International’s postpartum certification requires six books selected across six categories, two professional position papers, coursework, and actual service to families. Reading and understanding six books requires substantial time and effort beyond attending a workshop. ADA’s published process does not specify comparable reading or minimum family-service requirements. Families deserve to understand these differences.
Not being eligible for reimbursement does not mean lower-quality care. Being eligible does not, by itself, establish better care. We encourage parents to compare experience, care practices, family references, services, and fees—and ask Carrot to explain its eligibility standards clearly.