Welcome to the

Medi-Cal Birthworker Resource Hub

Welcome to the Medi-Cal Birthworkers Resource Hub, a centralized location of resources, guides and tools to assist individual doulas and community-based doula organizations/collectives in enrolling as DHCS Medi-Cal providers.

This Resource Hub will be continuously updated as new documents and materials become available.

Medi-Cal Doula Benefit

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) added doula services to the list of preventive services covered under the Medi-Cal program, effective January 1, 2023.

Doula services include personal support to women and families throughout a birthing person’s pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum experience. This encompasses emotional and physical support, provided during pregnancy, labor, birth or any other pregnancy conclusion, as well as the postpartum period.

Pursuant to federal regulations, doula services must be recommended by a physician or other licensed practitioner. DHCS has issued a Standing Recommendation Letter to minimize barriers to doula access.

We have created this resource hub to aid in navigating the enrollment process, which includes meeting requirements such as:

Doula training or experience
Business licensure
CPR certification
HIPAA training

(see comprehensive list here)

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible? What are the requirements?

All doulas must be at least 18 years old, possess an adult/infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification, and have completed basic Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training and have attended a minimum of 3 births.

In addition, a doula must meet requirements for either the Training or Experience qualification pathway.

How do I apply?

Doula applicants may apply to enroll in the Medi-Cal program by submitting an electronic application through the Provider Application for Validation and Enrollment (PAVE) online enrollment portal, along with all supporting documentation.

There are two pathways for application:

Training Pathway (you’ll need a certificate of completion for a minimum of 16 hours of training which includes: lactation, childbirth education, anatomy of pregnancy & childbirth, comfort measures, prenatal & labor support and community resources as well as attest that you’ve supported at least 3 births)

Experience Pathway (Attest to a minimum of five years of active doula experience within the last seven years, with at least 3 births served in those 5 years, and provide three client testimonial or professional letters of recommendation from a licensed provider, community based organization or enrolled doula).

Learn more here.

Where can I find a HIPAA training?

How Do I File a DBA?

Doing Business As (DBA)

- What it is: A legal registration for a fictitious or assumed business name, allowing you to operate under a name different from your personal name (for sole proprietors) or your official company name (like "The John Doe LLC" doing business as "Superlative Salon").

Why use it: For branding, professionalism, privacy (if you're a sole proprietor), or to market a new product line.

Also called: Fictitious Business Name, Assumed Name, or Trade Name.

For DBAs the state has a new tool:

https://www.calgold.ca.gov

How do I contract with a Managed Care Plan?

About 80% of Medi-cal beneficiaries are receiving insurance through a Managed Care Plan (MCP).

You will need to apply to your local MCP(s) in order to serve families receiving Medi-Cal through a MCP.

After enrolling through PAVE, you will likely be contacted by your local Managed Care Plan(s). You can also reach out to them directly to contract with them – here is the DHCS provided contact list.

I’m enrolled and contracted, how do I find clients?

You will be listed as a Medi-Cal doula provider on the DHCS website, once you have been approved in PAVE.

You can expect to be contacted directly by clients in your region and/or through the MCPs who will connect you with clients they serve. You can also share that you are an approved Medi-Cal Doula Provider with your community.

Please note that you have to be contracted with the MCP that specifically services the client you serve, through this benefit.

I’m enrolled as a Medi-Cal doula provider, how do I find support with billing and administration?

I have Medi-Cal and I'm looking for prenatal, birth, abortion or postpartum support - how do I find a Medi-Cal doula provider?

I have Medi-Cal and would like to find a doula. What do I do if I can’t find a Medi-Cal doula provider?