Doula Implementation Stakeholder Workgroup

The Doula Implementation Stakeholder Workgroup (the Workgroup) was established pursuant to Senate Bill (SB) 65, which added section 14132.24 to the Welfare and Institutions Code (W&I Code). The Workgroup was tasked with addressing 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.

The Workgroup concluded its efforts in May 2025 and submitted its recommendations to DHCS, as required by W&I Code section 14131.24. These recommendations are included in the Doula Benefit Implementation Report (the Report). The published report includes recommendations on outreach efforts for doula services as well as ways to reduce barriers. It also contains quantitative and qualitative data on utilization of the doula benefit, including results of interviews with doulas, Medi-Cal members, hospital and managed care plan staff. Quantitative data is broken down by race, ethnicity, primary language, Medi-Cal MCP, and county.

DHCS is grateful to the members of the Workgroup for their two-year commitment to evaluating and supporting implementation of the Medi-Cal doula benefit. The Workgroup consisted of 30 members who represented doulas, health care providers, consumer and community advocates, health plans, county representatives, and other stakeholders with a vested interest in the success of the doula benefit. DHCS will be evaluating the Workgroup's recommendations in the Report to identify opportunities for further refinements and enhancements to the Medi-Cal doula benefit on a go-forward basis. Additionally, DHCS has committed to ongoing, ad hoc engagement with a small group of doula partners relative to this important work.