In efforts to improve birth outcomes for L.A. Care’s pregnant Medi-Cal members and help reduce the maternal mortality disparity amongst Black and African American women, doula services are now available through the new Medi-Cal doula benefit effective January 1, 2023. Members can access services through L.A. Care’s network of doula Providers!
What is a doula?
A doula is a birth worker who provides health education, advocacy, and physical, emotional and non-medical support for pregnant and postpartum persons before, during and after childbirth including support during miscarriage, stillbirth and abortion. Doulas provide person-centered, culturally competent care that supports the racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity of members while adhering to evidence-based best practices. Doulas are not licensed or clinical providers.
What are the benefits of doula services?
Doula services encompass health education, advocacy, and physical, emotional and non-medical support for pregnant and postpartum persons before, during and after childbirth including support during miscarriage, stillbirth and abortion. Doulas services also include health navigation, lactation support, development of a birth plan and linkages to community-based resources. Doula services do not include diagnosis of medical conditions, provision of medical advice, or any type of clinical assessment, exam, or procedure.
Doula services are aimed at preventing perinatal complications and improving health outcomes for birthing parents and infants. Studies have found individuals who have doula support during their pregnancy have had a decreased risk of cesarean section, shortened labor time, less use of epidurals, and improved emotional well-being.
Who qualifies for doula services?
A member would qualify for a recommendation for doula services if they are pregnant or were pregnant within the past year.
How can Providers recommend members for doula services?
Doula services require a written recommendation by a physician or other licensed practitioner of the healing arts. An initial recommendation for doula services includes the following:
- One initial visit
- Up to eight additional visits that may be provided in any combination of prenatal and postpartum visits
- Support during labor and delivery (including labor and delivery resulting in a stillbirth), abortion, or miscarriage
- Up to two extended three-hour postpartum visits after the end of a pregnancy
- The extended three-hour postpartum visits do not require the beneficiary to meet additional criteria or receive a separate recommendation.
A second recommendation is required if additional visits are medically necessary during the postpartum period.
Can a Provider recommend doula services to members who are planning to deliver at a birthing center and/or receiving services provided by a midwife?
Yes, members are eligible to receive doula services while receiving other services provided by a midwife. While doulas and midwives are both professionals who assist with childbirth and women’s reproductive health, they have different training, duties, and certifications. A doula provides non-clinical support to the mother before, during, and after childbirth, and does not deliver the baby. A midwife is a trained medical professional who may offer gynecological examinations, birth control counseling, prescriptions, and labor and delivery care.
Where can the Doula Recommendation Form be accessed?
The Doula Recommendation Form can be accessed on the L.A. Care website under “Health Education Forms”. Upon completion, the recommendation form can be faxed directly to the doula organization. From there, the doula organization will reach out to the member to arrange services.
For a list of contracted doula organizations, please use the L.A. Care Medi-Cal Provider Directory on our website. If you have any questions, please contact the L.A. Care Provider Information Line at 1.866.522.2736 (1.866.LACARE6).