How to Use Your Blue Shield Promise Insurance to Get a Doula—Step-by-Step Guide
Are you pregnant and have Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan through Medi-Cal? You may be eligible to receive free doula support during your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.
But many members don’t know this benefit exists—or how to access it. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started with Melancentric, a credentialed doula provider.Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Doula with Blue Shield Promise
Step 1: Check Your Insurance Plan
If your health card says:
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan – Medi-Cal
you likely qualify for full doula benefits under Medi-Cal.
Blue Shield Promise serves multiple California counties. If you’re in San Diego, or the Antelope Valley , you can use this benefit with no cost to you.
Step 2: What Doula Services Does Blue Shield Promise Cover?
Eligible members can receive:
1 initial visit with a doula
Up to 8 additional visits, these can be a combination of prenatal and postpartum visits
Support during labor and delivery (including labor and delivery resulting in a stillbirth), abortion or miscarriage
Up to 2 three-hour postpartum visits; these are in addition to the 9 visits above (1 initial, 8 prenatal/postpartum)
These visits are covered in full—you won’t receive a bill.
Step 3: Choose a Credentialed Doula (No Doctor Referral Needed)
You do not need a referral from your OB or provider.
You can go straight to an approved doula provider like Melancentric, which is able to serve Blue Shield Promise members.
Even if Blue Shield hasn’t referred you directly, you can come to us and we’ll take care of the rest.
Step 4: Schedule with Melancentric
We’ve made it easy to get started:
Email info.thefullspectrumdoula.org
Fill out our intake form here
We’ll confirm your eligibility, explain what’s covered, and assign a doula that fits your goals and birth plan.
Step 5: Receive Ongoing Doula Support
Melancentric doulas are trained to walk with you every step of the way—from early pregnancy through postpartum.
You’ll have:
Support during prenatal appointments
Hands-on help in labor and delivery
Check-ins during postpartum recovery
Guidance on lactation, newborn care, and emotional wellness
We’re Accepting Blue Shield Promise Clients Now
If you have Blue Shield Promise in San Diego, Los Angeles, or a nearby county, Melancentric is here to support you.
👉 Email Info.thefullspectrumdoula@gmail.com
No referrals. No fees. Just support.
