How to enroll as a Medicaid doula in California
Medi-Cal · coverage since January 1, 2023 · last checked July 25, 2026
Medi-Cal has covered doula services since January 1, 2023. At the rates effective January 1, 2024, an initial visit, 8 standard visits, 2 extended postpartum visits, and delivery support total $3,152.65 for a vaginal birth or $3,263.31 for a cesarean birth. You can qualify through training and birth experience or through the five-year experience pathway. Enroll through PAVE, then contract with each Medi-Cal managed care plan you intend to bill.
What Medicaid pays
$3,152.65 for the cited vaginal-birth package; $3,263.31 for the cesarean package
- Initial 90-minute visit $197.98; standard prenatal/postpartum visit $162.11; extended 3-hour postpartum visit $486.36 (fee-for-service floor, effective Jan 1, 2024)
- The standard package of 1 initial visit, 8 standard visits, 2 extended postpartum visits, and delivery support totals $3,152.65 for a vaginal birth or $3,263.31 for a cesarean birth
- These rates took effect January 1, 2024. Pull the current DHCS Medi-Cal rate file before billing
- All doula claims carry modifier XP
A statewide standing recommendation authorizes 1 initial visit + up to 8 additional visits (any prenatal/postpartum mix) + labor & delivery support (including stillbirth, abortion, or miscarriage) + up to 2 extended 3-hour postpartum visits. Up to 9 more postpartum visits are available with a licensed provider's recommendation.
Who can apply
- 18+, adult/infant CPR certification, and basic HIPAA training (all doulas)
- Training pathway: 16+ hours covering lactation support, childbirth education, comfort measures, and labor support (no state-approved list; any training with a qualifying certificate counts) plus support at a minimum of 3 births
- Experience pathway: 5+ years of active doula experience (paid or volunteer) within the previous 7 years, plus 3 client testimonial or professional recommendation letters
- Complete at least 3 hours of continuing education every 3 years
- No PAVE application fee; liability insurance isn't a DHCS requirement but managed care plans commonly require it
How to enroll
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Step 1
Get your free Type 1 NPI
NPPES, taxonomy 374J00000X. Group practices can also enroll with a Type 2 NPI. DHCS supports doula group enrollment.
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Step 2
Gather your qualification documents
Training certificate or experience letters, CPR card, HIPAA training, plus any local business license or tax certificate.
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Step 3
Apply through PAVE
Use DHCS's Provider Application and Validation for Enrollment portal. Review times vary. Follow the DHCS enrollment checklist and respond promptly if DHCS asks for corrections or additional documents.
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Step 4
Contract with each managed care plan in your county
Most Medi-Cal members are in managed care, and each plan credentials separately, sometimes with extra documentation and insurance requirements. DHCS publishes a doula liaison contact per plan.
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Step 5
Bill with modifier XP
Fee-for-service claims on the CMS-1500; managed-care claims to the plan. The statewide standing recommendation means clients don't need an individual physician referral.
How you get paid
Each Medi-Cal managed care plan in your service area has its own contracting process and may ask for additional documents or insurance. The LA County Medi-Cal Doula Hub and the statewide Medi-Cal Birthworker Resource Hub help doulas with applications, plan contracts, and billing.
What to plan for
PAVE enrollment is only the state step. Each managed care plan has its own contract and may request additional documents or liability insurance. Keep the plan's current instructions and use a doula hub if an application or claim stalls.
Where to get help
- DHCS Doula Services FAQ (the official enrollment and billing reference; DoulaBenefit@dhcs.ca.gov)
- Medi-Cal Birthworker Resource Hub (statewide PAVE and managed-care application guides, by Diversity Uplifts)
- LA County Medi-Cal Doula Hub (application-through-billing technical assistance in LA County)
Sources and last checked
We checked these details on July 25, 2026.
- DHCS doula provider reimbursement FAQ
- DHCS doula provider enrollment FAQ
- DHCS Medi-Cal doula enrollment checklist
This is general educational information, not legal, billing, or enrollment advice. Rules and rates can change between reviews. Confirm the current provider manual, payment schedule, and health-plan contract before you apply or bill. Junie can create a payment receipt labeled as a superbill, but the current output derives its dates and descriptions from payment records and must be checked against the recipient's requirements. A superbill is not a Medicaid claim. Junie does not currently enroll providers in Medicaid or submit Medicaid claims. Found an error? Email hello@junie.app.