​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Doula Services as a Medi-Cal Benefit

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) added doula services as a covered benefit on January 1, 2023. Doula services are available in fee-for-service and through managed care plans (MCPs). Services include personal support to individuals and families throughout pregnancy and one year postpartum. This includes emotional and physical support provided during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period, as well as support for and after miscarriage and abortion.

Medi-Cal Members

Find information about what services doula provide, who may receive doula services, a directory of doulas enrolled in Medi-Cal, and answers to frequently asked questions. ​

Medi-Cal Doula Providers​

Find information about what doula services Medi-Cal covers, help enrolling as a provider, how to contact a managed care plan, how to submit a claim for payment, and answers to frequently asked questions. ​

Senate Bill 65 Doula Stakeholder Workgroup​

Senate Bill 65 (Skinner, Chapter 449, Statutes of 2021) required DHCS to establish a Doula Implementation Stakeholder Workgroup and publish a report by July 1, 2025. The Doula Benefit Implementation Report​ is now available and includes quantitative and qualitative data on doula service utilization and recommendations on outreach efforts and reducing barriers to services. Information about previous stakeholder meetings can be found on the Doula Implementation Stakeholder Workgroup webpage.  ​

Spotlights

We're excited to highlight a new Day with a Doula feature​ from the DHCS Office of Communications. In this video, DHCS Social Media Manager Andie Tovar interviews Amber Bardini of Blooming Families Doula Services to share how doulas play an essential role in supporting parents throughout their breastfeeding journey. This feature is a wonderful way to spread awareness about the benefits available to Medi-Cal members while also illustrating the essential and compassionate care doulas provide to families every day. We encourage you to watch and share the video with your community to help more families and providers understand the true value of doula care.

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