Does Health Net Cover a Doula in California?

Yes. Health Net covers doula care for its Medi-Cal members in California, and it also has a doula program for commercial group and individual and family plans. What you get depends on which kind of plan you have, so we've broken it down below.

What does Health Net doula care cost?

Health Net says Medi-Cal members who are pregnant, or were pregnant within the past year, get doula services at no cost. Some plans can have copays, though, so if you're not sure about yours, your doula or Orka can help you figure it out.

What Health Net Medi-Cal members get

• An initial visit to get to know each other
• Eight prenatal or postpartum visits, virtual or in person
• Support during labor and birth, virtual or in person
• Two extended postpartum visits of three hours each
• Abortion support
• Loss support, including after a miscarriage or stillbirth
• Nine additional postpartum visits, with an additional recommendation your doula can easily get signed

You can use your doula during pregnancy and for up to one year after your pregnancy ends.

What commercial members get

If you have a commercial group or individual and family plan, Health Net's doula program includes:

• One visit to get to know your doula
• Up to eight more visits during pregnancy and postpartum
• Support during labor and birth, including a stillbirth, miscarriage or termination of pregnancy
• Up to two postpartum visits of three hours each

Health Net says the program isn't available outside California. To check what your plan covers, call the Member Services number on your ID card.

Do I need a doctor's recommendation?

If you're a Medi-Cal member, no, not for most of your visits. You don't need a written recommendation for the visits included in the state's standing recommendation. If you want the nine additional postpartum visits, you'll need one more recommendation, and your doula can easily get it signed.

Where is Health Net Medi-Cal offered?

Health Net lists Medi-Cal in Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuolumne counties. Some of these counties have other Medi-Cal plans too, so check the name on your member card.

How to find a Health Net doula

1. Medi-Cal members: call Health Net at 1-800-675-6110 (TTY 711), any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can pick your own doula or ask for help finding one.
2. Commercial members: go to healthnet.com and choose Find a Provider. Enter your location and plan, select Other Facilities, then filter by Doula Services.
3. Already have a doula in mind? Call Health Net to make sure they're registered with the plan.

What a doula can help with

A doula can help you write a birth plan, learn what to expect, feel supported during labor and settle into feeding your baby. They can meet you at home, at a birth center, in a hospital or online. Doulas don't give medical care, so they work alongside your doctor or midwife.

Looking for a doula? Orka Health is a doula provider group in network with Health Net, and we can help you find one. Find a doula who accepts your insurance.

Sources: Health Net: Doula Resources for Medi-Cal Members; Health Net: Medi-Cal Doula Services flyer; Health Net Doula Program, commercial group and individual and family plans (January 2025); Health Net: Medi-Cal Service Areas; DHCS: Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Contact List for Members (July 2025); DHCS: Doula Services for Medi-Cal Members. Coverage varies by plan, so confirm yours with your plan.