Doula Services
As of January 1, 2023, doula services will be a covered Medi-Cal benefit. You can now get support from a doula (birth worker) at no cost. Doula services are for prenatal (before birth) and postpartum (after pregnancy) visits. You may have a doula during labor and birth, miscarriage, or abortion visits.
You may have a doula at any setting such as:
Your home
An office visit
A hospital
A birth center
The California Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) defines doulas as birth workers. Doulas support people before, during, and after pregnancy. Doulas are not licensed, and they do not require supervision. They can help you:
- Talk about your health care with your providers
- Get health education
- Get physical, emotional, and other support that is not medical
What doula services are covered?
- First checkup (1 visit)
- Up to 8 more visits before, during, or after pregnancy
- Support during labor and birth, stillbirth, abortion, or miscarriage
- Up to 2 sets of 3-hour visits after the end of a pregnancy
You can only get doula services during:
- Pregnancy
- Labor and birth, including stillbirth
- Miscarriage
- Abortion
- Within 1 year of the end of your pregnancy
Frequently Asked Questions
Doula Services
You can reach out to a SFHP doula directly for care.
To find a SFHP doula, search the Provider Directory. Follow these steps:
- First press the “Search” button at the top of the page.
- Next select “Provider Category” in the drop-down menu on the right side of the screen.
- Select “Doula” from the drop-down menu. Press “search” to find our list of SFHP doulas.
SFHP aims to have a diverse group of doulas who can reflect your culture and can serve your needs.
Yes. Doulas can teach classes at no cost to members.
- Belly binding (traditional/ceremonial)
- Birthing ceremonies (e.g., sealing, closing the bones, etc.)
- Diagnosing a medical condition
- Group classes on carrying your baby
- Massage
- Photos
- Giving medical advice
- Making pills from placenta
- Shopping
- Vaginal steams
- Yoga
- Or any type of health assessment, exam, or procedure
Doulas cannot give more services that are already covered by Medi-Cal. Your Primary Care Provider* (PCP), midwife, obstetrician (pregnancy doctor) may give you more services. Or they can refer you to a provider who can offer you more services. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Behavioral health services
- Belly binding after cesarean section (c-section) by a health worker
- Case management
- Childbirth education group classes
- Health education
- Hypnotherapy
- Lactation support, group classes, and supplies
- Nutrition support
- Transit
- Community Supports services
*Your Primary Care Provider (PCP) is your doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner in charge of your health care.
Doula Access
SFHP will work with you and our doctors and midwives to make sure there are no restrictions to you getting the support you need from your doula at the hospital or doctor’s office.
No, you must work with a doula who is partnered with San Francisco Health Plan. You may search our online Provider Directory to view our doulas.
Call SFHP Customer Service at
Cost & Interpreter Services
No, all services given are at no cost to Medi-Cal members.
Yes. Please contact your doula to arrange for an interpreter during your appointments. You may also contact Customer Service at
Member Eligibility
You can get a doula if you have SFHP Medi-Cal and are pregnant right now or were pregnant in the past year. Doula care is for any person having an abortion, miscarriage, still birth, or live birth.
No, you do not need a written recommendation from a provider.
You can get 1 doula visit per day. You can only have 1 doula visit at a time unless it is during labor and birth. On the day of labor and birth, 1 prenatal (before birth) visit or 1 postpartum (after birth) visit can also be given. This visit can be for stillbirth, abortion, or miscarriage support. This visit can also be given by a different doula.
You can only have 1 doula at a time for each service. But you may have more than 1 doula who gives you support at different stages of your pregnancy. For example, you may have 1 doula who gives you support during your pregnancy and another doula who gives support during labor and birth, or after pregnancy. Each doula will have to be an SFHP partner.