MEDI-CAL DOULA BENEFIT - FOR PREGNANT PEOPLE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FIND A MEDI-CAL APPROVED DOULA PROVIDER
Contact your Managed Care Plan (MCP) to find approved Medi-Cal doulas in your area.
Check out the back of your insurance card and call the “Member Services” number.
GENERAL INFORMATION
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. Doulas provide preventative care services that include emotional, educational, and physical support to birthing families throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the first year postpartum.
What are Full Spectrum Doula 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 non-medical care.
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
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 are the Reimbursement Rates?
(as of January 2024)
Initial visit (90 min): $197.98
Prenatal visit: $162.11
Postpartum visit: $162.11
Extended postpartum support: $486.36 for a 3hr visit
Support during vaginal delivery: $685.07
Support during cesarean birth: $795.73
Support during or after miscarriage: $250.85
Support during or after abortion: $250.48
Sources: DHCS and The IE Voice