So, you're ready to take your doula practice to the next level and start getting paid through Medi-Cal? That’s amazing. California’s public insurance program now covers doula services, which means your supportive, heart-centered work can reach more families—and you can get paid for it.

But let’s be real: the enrollment process? It’s tedious. It's a combo of digital paperwork, online portals, and long wait times that no one warned you about when you decided to embark on this journey.

Don’t worry. We’re going to walk through it together—step by step. Let’s do this!

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What Is a Medi-Cal Doula?

A Medi-Cal doula is a trained, non-clinical birth worker who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to clients during pregnancy, labor, postpartum, and even in cases of miscarriage, abortion, or stillbirth. These services are now covered by California’s Medicaid program, and doulas can become official Medi-Cal providers.

Doulas support patients with:

• Prenatal and postpartum education
• Birth planning and advocacy
• Labor support
• Emotional guidance during loss

Importantly, you don’t need a direct provider referral. As of 2023, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has issued a standing recommendation that automatically authorizes all Medi-Cal-covered doula services. You can view it here.

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Why Should You Enroll as a Medi-Cal Doula in California?

With over 50% of births in California funded by Medi-Cal, enrolling as a provider dramatically expands who you can serve—and gets you paid for the invaluable work you already do.

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Benefits of becoming a Medi-Cal-approved doula:

• Support families who couldn’t otherwise afford doula care
• Receive payment from the state of California instead of from clients
• Join California’s push toward equitable birth outcomes

Whether you’re new to birth work or have years of grassroots experience, this is your chance to make an even greater impact.

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Minimum Requirements to Become a Medi-Cal Doula

Before starting your Medi-Cal doula application, you must meet these core criteria:

• Be 18 years or older
• Hold a valid, current Adult/Infant CPR certification
• Complete HIPAA compliance training within the last eyar

Once that’s in place, you’ll choose one of two enrollment pathways: training or experience.

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Choose Your Enrollment Path: Training vs. Experience

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‍Training Pathway:

You must complete:

• At least 16 hours of training covering:
  • Lactation support
  • Childbirth education
  • Pregnancy anatomy
  • Labor and comfort measures
  • Community resource building
• Participation in at least 3 births

This path is ideal if you've completed a formal training from a recognized doula organization.

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Experience Pathway:

You must have:

• At least 5 years of doula experience (within the last 7 years)
• 3 letters of recommendation/testimonials, including at least one from a client and one from:
  • A licensed provider
  • A community-based org, OR
  • A currently enrolled Medi-Cal doula

This route is designed to recognize your lived experience and impact—even if you weren’t formally trained.

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Step-by-Step: How to Enroll as a Medi-Cal Doula

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Step 1 – Register for an NPI Number

Before enrolling in Medi-Cal, you’ll need a National Provider Identifier (NPI). It’s a unique ID that allows you to bill health services.

How to get it:

1. Visit the NPPES website & create an account
2. When prompted, use the taxonomy code for doulas: 374J00000X
3. Submit your application and wait for confirmation (usually within 5 days)

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Step 2 – Choose Your Enrollment Path & Prepare Documents

Decide which path suits your background:

• Training pathway: Submit your training certificate and/or training syllabus & attest to having supported at least 3 births as a doula
• Experience pathway: Submit letters of recommendation

You’ll also need:

• ✅ NPI number
• ✅ Adult & Infant CPR certificate (💡Pro Tip: Online-only training is generally accepted!)
• ✅ HIPAA training within the last year (💡 Pro Tip: Here’s a free training that gives you a certificate of completion)
• ✅ Government-issued ID
• ✅ Business license or DBA (if applicable)

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Step 3 – Submit Your Application Through PAVE

Visit the [PAVE Portal](https://pave.dhcs.ca.gov/sso/login.do?) to begin your enrollment:

• Create a PAVE account
• Begin an application for an individual practitioner
• Select “Doula” as your provider type
• Upload all supporting documents
• Sign and submit your application

🕒 Processing time: Typically 6–8 weeks

💡 Pro Tip: If you use Loula, we can get you enrolled in just 2–3 weeks, with full support on gathering the necessary documentation, ensuring documentation meets the DHCS requirements, creating & submitting the application, and monitoring requests for additional information.

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Covered Doula Visits & Reimbursement Explained

Check out the following listand this resource from DHCS to understand what Medi-Cal covers and how much each visit pays (2025):

• Initial visit (90 minutes): $197.98
  
  • 1 per pregnancy
• Prenatal/Postpartum visit: $162.11
  
  • 8 per pregnancy, in any combination
• Extended postpartum support (for a three-hour visit): $486.36
  
  • 2 per pregnancy, billed in 15-min increments
• Labor & Delivery Support
  
  • 1 per pregnancy
  • Support during vaginal delivery: $685.07
  • Support during caesarian section: $795.73
  • Support during or after miscarriage: $250.85
    
  • Support during or after abortion: $250.85

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Billing Tips:

• Use modifier XP to show you’re a non-clinical provider
• Include required ICD-10 codes (e.g., Z39.0, Z32.2)
• Only one doula per day per client may bill (except for distinct services)
• Document date, duration, and services clearly

📖 For complete code breakdowns, refer to DHCS's Doula Services Provider Manual.

💡 Pro Tip: Loula can do all of the medical billing for you!

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Credentialing with Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans

Once you’re enrolled with the state through DHCS, you’re approved for Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medi-Cal. But here’s the catch: most Medi-Cal beneficiaries are in Managed Care Plans (MCPs) like:

• Kaiser
• Health Net
• L.A. Care
• Alameda Alliance, etc…

To serve those clients, you’ll need to work with each MCP separately. Each MCP requires its own application, paperwork, credentialing, and contract.

This phase can feel tedious and time-consuming, especially after you’ve already completed the Medi-Cal enrollment process and you're eager to start serving clients.

✨ The good news? When you join Loula—we’ll handle the full enrollment process, help you bill accurately, and contract with MCPs so you can focus on what matters: caring for clients.

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FAQs About Medi-Cal Doula Enrollment

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Q1: How long does Medi-Cal enrollment take?

Expect the process to take around 4 to 8 weeks. DHCS has a requirement that they must get back to you within 60 days of submitting your application, but approval can be delayed if you submitted any insufficient documents.

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Q2: Can I enroll if I haven’t finished my training yet?

Either training completion and providing birth doula support for at least 3 clients OR 5+ years of experience with 3 letters of recommendation are required to enroll as a Medi-Cal Doula

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Q3: Do I need to be part of a doula organization to apply?

Nope, you can work independently or with a group.

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Q4: Is Loula only for Medi-Cal doulas?

Yes…and no. All doulas must be enrolled in Medi-Cal for Loula to support you with credentialing and billing. However, we’re here to help with the Medi-Cal enrollment process if you need it.

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Q5: What happens if my application is rejected?

You’ll receive a notice within 60 days from DHCS with instructions on how to correct and resubmit.

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Q6: Can I provide virtual doula support and still be reimbursed?

Yes! Virtual visits are covered under current Medi-Cal guidelines.

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Q7: Will my Medi-Cal clients need a referral from a provider to be eligible for doula services?

No. California uses a standing recommendation that authorizes all Medi-Cal-covered for certain doula services.

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Q8: Can I become a Medi-Cal doula without formal training?

Yes—through the experience pathway with five years of work experience as a doula and three letters of recommendation

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Q9: What’s the difference between Medi-Cal and Managed Care Plans (MCPs)?

Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid (public insurance) program. MCPs are private companies that manage most Medi-Cal members. You need separate contracts with each MCP to serve those clients.

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Q10: How much can I earn as a Medi-Cal doula?

Up to $3,152 per pregnancy (assuming a vaginal delivery), based on services provided.

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Final Thoughts: Your Role in Changing Birth Outcomes

Enrolling as a Medi-Cal doula in California isn’t just a career move—it’s a commitment to transforming birth care in a system that needs more compassion and equity. It says you believe everyone deserves access to compassionate, culturally-competent, and evidence-based support. It says you’re ready to walk with families through birth, loss, healing, and joy—and be recognized for that sacred work.

Yes, the process can be tedious and it does take time. But the reward? Getting paid to hold space, provide care, and uplift communities—that’s powerful.

If you’d like support with Medi-Cal enrollment, credentialing with managed care plans, billing, or receiving payment on time, Loula is here to walk beside you.

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