State Policy · CA
Kaiser Permanente Reports on Implementing California Medi-Cal Doula Benefit
Kaiser Permanente published lessons learned from implementing California's Medi-Cal doula benefit, emphasizing the importance of engaging frontline workers in the integration process. The report covers operational challenges in incorporating doula services into managed care delivery systems. California's doula benefit, added to Medi-Cal in recent years to address maternal health disparities, requires health plans to cover doula services for pregnant members. The experience offers practical guidance for other health plans navigating doula benefit implementation and highlights workforce integration issues relevant to maternal health initiatives in Medicaid.
Why it mattersHealth plans implementing state-mandated doula benefits can apply Kaiser's operational lessons to workforce integration, credentialing, and payment processes for community health workers in managed care delivery systems.