Molina Healthcare Medi‑Cal Doula in San Diego — How to Get Covered (Steps + FAQ)

Yes—Molina Medi‑Cal covers doula care in San Diego. Covered services include one initial 90‑minute visit; up to eight additional prenatal/postpartum visits in any mix; labor & birth support (including miscarriage/abortion/stillbirth); and up to two extended three‑hour postpartum visits within one year after pregnancy. Below: exact steps, what’s included, and how Melancentric handles the paperwork for you.

Pregnant woman staring out of the window.

At a glance

• Who qualifies: Anyone pregnant or within one year after pregnancy and enrolled in Molina Medi‑Cal (San Diego County)

• What’s covered: Initial visit, eight additional prenatal/postpartum visits, birth support, two 3‑hour postpartum visits

• Recommendation rules: DHCS issued a standing recommendation for the initial set of services; Molina accepts this. A second recommendation allows up to nine additional postpartum visits if needed

• Where care happens: Virtual or in‑person (home, clinic/office, hospital, or birth center)

• Cost to you: $0 for covered members

How to get covered (Step‑by‑step)

1. Tell us you have Molina Medi‑Cal in San Diego. Not sure? We’ll check for you.

2. We verify eligibility with Molina for the month of service and confirm if any documentation is needed.

3. We place the DHCS standing recommendation (or coordinate a provider note), which authorizes the initial visit, eight additional visits, labor/birth support, and two extended postpartum visits.

4. We schedule your first prenatal or postpartum visit (virtual or in‑person) and set up text/phone check‑ins.

5. If you need more postpartum help, we’ll obtain the second recommendation that allows up to nine additional postpartum visits.

What’s included with Molina (San Diego)

• Initial 90‑minute visit to set goals, plan care, and coordinate with your clinical team

• Up to eight additional prenatal/postpartum visits in any mix based on your needs

• Labor & birth support (including support for miscarriage, abortion, or stillbirth)

• Two extended 3‑hour postpartum visits for hands‑on recovery, lactation support, and home transition

• Telehealth available for all visit types

Scope note: Doulas provide non‑medical support and work alongside your clinical team.

FAQs

• Do I need a referral? For the initial set of services, the DHCS standing recommendation works. If more postpartum visits are needed, we’ll coordinate the second recommendation with your licensed provider.

• Can I use all my visits postpartum only? Yes—you can use the initial and all eight additional visits during the postpartum period if you didn’t have a doula while pregnant. Two extended 3‑hour postpartum visits are included; we can request the second recommendation for up to nine more postpartum visits when appropriate.

• Where can visits happen? Home, office/clinic, hospital, or birth center; virtual options are available for every visit type.

• Is loss support covered? Yes—coverage includes miscarriages, abortion, and stillbirth.

• How do I reach you when labor starts? You’ll have a direct text/phone line to your doula with backup coverage.

Contact Melancentric — Book Your Complimentary Consult

• Call: 619‑379‑0011

• Text: 619‑379‑0011

• Email: info.thefullspectrumdoula@gmail.com

• Book online: Complimentary Consultation

Sources

• DHCS — Medi‑Cal Members FAQ (Doula Services): Covered services; standing recommendation; postpartum up to one year; nine additional postpartum visits with second recommendation

• Molina Healthcare — Doula Services (Member page): What’s covered and member contact line

• Molina Healthcare — Doula Step‑by‑Step Process (Provider page): Eligibility verification, standing recommendation accepted, and second recommendation for up to nine additional postpartum visits