Doula Implementation Stakeholder Workgroup

The Doula Implementation Workgroup (the Workgroup) is required by Senate Bill (SB) 65, which added section 14132.24 to the Welfare and Institutions Code (W&I Code). The Workgroup will address the following:

Ensuring that doula services are available to Medi-Cal members who are eligible for and want doula services.
Minimizing barriers and delays in payments to a Medi-Cal doula or in reimbursement to Medi-Cal members for doula services.
Making recommendations for outreach efforts so that all Medi-Cal members who are eligible for services are aware of the option to use doula services.
Helping to inform the Department of Health Care Services' (DHCS') report to the Legislature with data on Medi-Cal members using doula services and recommendations to reduce any identified barriers to doula services.

As required by W&I Code section 14131.24, the Workgroup will make recommendations to DHCS for a report to be published on the DHCS website by July 1, 2025, which will include recommendations on outreach efforts for doula services as well as ways to reduce barriers, and also contain data on utilization of the doula benefit, broken down by race, ethnicity, primary language, Medi-Cal MCP, and count.

Stakeholders who are part of the Workgroup may speak during public stakeholder meetings. All members of the public are welcome to listen to meetings as attendees, comment using the chat function during meetings, and submit written comments.

Stakeholders may also send written comments via email to DoulaBenefit@dhcs.ca.gov.

Future Workgroup Meetings:

May 9, 2025 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Doula Stakeholder Workgroup Meeting

Reasonable Accommodations

For individuals with disabilities, DHCS will provide free assistive devices during the stakeholder meetings, including language and sign-language interpretation, real-time captioning, note takers, reading or writing assistance, and conversion of training or meeting materials into braille, large print, audio, or electronic format. To request alternative format or language services, please call or write:

Department of Health Care Services
Benefits Division
1501 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814
DoulaBenefit@dhcs.ca.gov

Please note that the range of assistive services available may be limited if requests are received less than ten (10) working days prior to the meeting or event.