Does IEHP Cover a Doula?

Yes. Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) covers doula care. According to IEHP, you can have a doula at no cost during pregnancy, during childbirth and for up to one year after birth.

What does IEHP doula care cost?

IEHP says doula care is at no cost to members. Some plans can have copays, though, so if you're not sure about yours, your doula or Orka can help you figure it out.

Which counties does IEHP serve?

The state lists IEHP for Medi-Cal in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Other Medi-Cal plans serve those counties too, so check the name on your member card.

What's included

Your IEHP doula benefit covers:

• 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

Do I need a doctor's recommendation?

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.

How to get the nine additional visits

IEHP has a Doula Additional Visits recommendation form. Hand it to your doula or OB-GYN, and once it's filled out, they'll email it to doula@iehp.org.

How to find an IEHP doula

1. Call Member Services. Call 1-800-440-4347 (TTY 1-800-718-4347), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also email doula@iehp.org.
2. Ask the Maternal Health team. They can connect you with a doula. Call 1-800-440-4347, ext. 8580, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3. Talk to a few doulas. Ask about their experience and how they like to work. Make sure they're free around your due date and can get to your home and hospital.

What a doula can help with

A doula is a trained, non-medical birth worker. Your doula can help you get ready for birth, support you emotionally and physically during labor, and check in once your baby arrives. Doulas also support people through a miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion. They work alongside your doctor or midwife and don't give medical care.

Other free help from IEHP

IEHP's Start Well program offers free resources for pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. There's also a free Loving Support breastfeeding helpline, open 24 hours a day in English and Spanish, at 1-888-451-2499.

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

Sources: IEHP: Pregnancy and Postpartum; IEHP: Doula Benefits Flyer; 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.