Community Doula Champions — Frontline Doulas

Are you pregnant and receive Medi-Cal benefits?

Click below to find a Medi-Cal Doula + more info:

Addressing Perinatal 
  Health Inequities 
  through Doula Workforce 
  Development, Community Education, and Awareness.

There is a new Medi-Cal Doula Benefit...

The Community Doula Champions Program is committed to supporting community doulas in the process of becoming approved Medi-Cal providers. It is vital that California increases access to community doulas for families that otherwise could not afford one. We welcome you to learn more about your choices in becoming a Medi-Cal approved doula provider and become a part of this historical Medi-Cal benefit.

Please learn from and share the resources below:

What is the Medi-Cal Doula Benefit?

As of January 1st, 2023, California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has added full spectrum doula services as an approved preventive service benefit covered under the Medi-Cal program. Doula’s provide preventative care services that include emotional, educational, and physical support to birthing families throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the first year postpartum.

Doula Services as a Medi-Cal Benefit

What are Full Spectrum Services, as defined by Medi-Cal?

Prenatal and postpartum doula care, presence during labor and delivery and doula support for miscarriage, stillbirth, and abortion. Doula care includes physical, emotional and other nonmedical care.

What is a Community Doula?

Community doulas, also known as birth workers, provide trauma informed family centered care. This is to encourage safe and respectful care to historically marginalized birthing communities. As this new benefit is being established, we recognize that there are many seen and unseen barriers to doulas becoming approved Medi-Cal providers. In addition, families seeking doula care through their managed care plans may face challenges in being matched with a Medi-Cal doula due to the lack of approved providers.

What Doula Services are Approved by the Medi-Cal Doula Benefit?

The initial recommendation, approved by a statewide standing order (Nov. 2024) authorizes the following:

One (1) initial visit
Up to eight (8) additional visits that may be provided in any combination of prenatal and postpartum visits.
Support during labor and delivery (including labor and delivery resulting in a stillbirth), abortion or miscarriage.
Up to two (2) extended three-hour postpartum visits after the end of a pregnancy.
An additional recommendation from a physician or other licensed practitioner of the healing arts acting within their scope of practice is required for up to nine (9) additional postpartum visits.

Source: DHCS