Table of Contents

• Introduction: 9 Extra Visits? Yes, Please!
• Why Doulas Matter (and Why Medi-Cal Covers Them)
• Step 1: Confirm You’re Eligible
• Step 2: Get the Magic Paperwork
• Step 3: Understand What’s Covered
• Step 4: Know What’s Not Covered
• Step 5: How to Unlock Nine Extra Postpartum Visits
• Tips for Doulas
• Tips for Providers
• Why Those Extra Visits Matter

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9 Extra Visits? Here's How to Unlock Them

Pregnancy—and everything that comes after—doesn’t happen on a tidy timeline. Your body, your baby, and your life don’t follow a neat calendar. That’s where doulas come in, offering a steady, supportive presence before, during, and after pregnancy. And here’s the best part: if you have Medi-Cal coverage, you may be eligible for even more of that priceless support—nine extra postpartum visits—if you know how to unlock them.

This guide breaks it all down: who qualifies, what’s covered, what’s not covered, and exactly how to snag those bonus visits. We’ll keep it fun, professional, and most importantly, crystal clear.

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Why Doulas Matter (and Why Medi-Cal Covers Them)

Doulas aren’t doctors, midwives, or nurses. They don’t take your blood pressure or write prescriptions. Instead, they provide physical, emotional, and nonmedical support that can make your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period calmer, more confident, and—yes—healthier.

Think of your doula as your guide, your cheerleader, and your steady hand during one of life’s biggest transitions. Research shows that having doula support can reduce the need for medical interventions, lower C-section rates, and boost breastfeeding success. Medi-Cal recognizes that value and now covers doula services for people who are pregnant—or who were pregnant within the past year.

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Step 1: Confirm You’re Eligible

If you are a Medi-Cal beneficiary and you are:

• Currently pregnant, or
• Were pregnant within the last year (including miscarriage or abortion),

…you qualify for doula services. It doesn’t matter if you’ve already given birth or if your pregnancy ended in a different way—you can still receive support for up to 12 months afterward.

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Step 2: Get the Magic Paperwork

Here’s the key: a licensed provider’s recommendation.

This isn’t a prescription or a medical order—it’s more like a professional thumbs-up that says, “Yes, this person would benefit from doula support.”

Who can sign it?

• Doctor
• Midwife
• Nurse

Ask your provider for the Doula Services Recommendation Form (find it here). If you don’t have a doula picked out yet, that’s fine. You can request the recommendation without naming names and hand it over later when you find your perfect match.

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Step 3: Understand What’s Covered

Covered doula services include a lot more than holding your hand in the delivery room (though that’s included too!). Here’s what Medi-Cal-approved doulas can provide:

• Perinatal support and guidance – Your questions, answered.
• Health navigation – Help figuring out appointments, paperwork, and resources.
• Evidence-based education – Prenatal, postpartum, childbirth, and newborn care.
• Lactation support – Tips for breastfeeding or chestfeeding.
• Birth plan development – Mapping out your ideal experience.
• Community connections – Linking you to local resources.
• Comfort measures during labor – Think breathing techniques, positioning, massage, and moral support.
• Support during miscarriage or abortion – Compassionate presence when it’s needed most.

Your Medi-Cal doula can offer one initial 90-minute visit, up to eight standard visits, one labor and delivery visit, and two extended postpartum visits (billed in 15-minute increments).

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Step 4: Know What’s Not Covered

As amazing as doulas are, they’re not a one-stop shop for every service under the sun. Medi-Cal does not reimburse for:

• Belly binding (traditional/ceremonial)
• Birthing ceremonies or rituals
• Baby-wearing group classes
• Massage (maternal or infant)
• Photography or videography
• Placenta encapsulation
• Shopping trips
• Vaginal steams
• Yoga sessions

If you want these extras, you’ll need to pay privately or find other providers.

There are also services that are covered by Medi-Cal, but require different professionals—like behavioral health services, nutrition counseling, lactation classes, or hypnotherapy. Your doula can help connect you with the right licensed practitioners for those.

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Step 5: How to Unlock Nine Extra Postpartum Visits

Now for the golden ticket: nine additional postpartum visits.

The standard Medi-Cal doula package already includes plenty of touchpoints. But sometimes life throws curveballs—breastfeeding struggles, mood changes, complicated recoveries, or just the need for more support. That’s when the extra visits can make all the difference.

Here’s how to access them:

1. Talk to your provider. Ask your doctor, midwife, or nurse to write a letter of recommendation for the extra visits. This letter confirms that additional doula support would benefit your recovery.
2. Give the letter to your doula. Your doula must keep a copy of this letter on file and store it securely (HIPAA rules still apply!).
3. Schedule away. With that letter, your doula can bill Medi-Cal for nine more postpartum visits, giving you more time to heal, learn, and adjust.

That’s up to 21 reimbursable visits in total:

• 1 initial visit
• 8 standard visits
• 1 labor/delivery visit
• 2 extended postpartum visits
• 9 extra postpartum visits (with provider letter)

More visits = more support for you and your baby.

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Tips for Doulas

If you’re a doula, remember:

• Keep a copy of every provider recommendation (initial and for extra visits).
• Store records in a HIPAA-compliant manner.
• Only provide services that Medi-Cal covers—no sneaky placenta encapsulation!

Professionalism protects you and your clients.

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Tips for Providers

If you’re a licensed provider, your role is straightforward but powerful. By signing a recommendation or writing the extra-visits letter, you’re confirming that the beneficiary will benefit from doula support. Remember:

• This is not a referral, prescription, or medical order.
• You can sign even if the client hasn’t chosen a doula yet.
• Your signature unlocks real, tangible care for someone who needs it.

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Why Those Extra Visits Matter

The postpartum period—often called the “fourth trimester”—is intense. Extra doula visits can help with:

• Breastfeeding challenges
• Newborn care confidence
• Emotional support for baby blues or postpartum mood disorders
• Recovery after cesarean or complicated birth
• Adjusting to new family dynamics

Nine extra visits mean more chances to catch issues early and more space for you to feel supported and heard.

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Final Takeaway

Medi-Cal’s doula benefit is already a game-changer, but those nine extra visits? That’s next-level care. Whether you’re a new parent navigating sleepless nights, a doula supporting families, or a provider who wants the best outcomes for your patients, knowing how to unlock those visits can make all the difference.

So go ahead—ask for that recommendation, keep your paperwork organized, and embrace the power of ongoing support. Because when it comes to postpartum care, more really is more.