‘Medi-Cal is the worst thing I’ve ever done’: Doulas say state Medicaid program owes them thousands of dollars

Tahira Ali supports people as they navigate the joys and trials of pregnancy — from giving birth to postpartum, and everything in between.

She’s also helped pregnant patients work through domestic violence, homelessness and poverty. It’s exactly the type of work she wanted to do when she trained to become a doula, a person who helps parents through childbirth.

So when California’s health insurance for low income people expanded to include doula services in 2023, she enrolled. But now Ali says she’s owed thousands of dollars for services she’s provided to Medi-Cal patients due to unpaid reimbursement claims.

She’s not alone. Two years after Medi-Cal started covering doula care, a number of those workers say it’s a constant fight to get reimbursed for their services. Others say they haven’t been paid for some work at all.

“Medi-Cal is the worst thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Ali said. “ I’m doing my Medi-Cal clients essentially for free, because I don’t get paid. When I do get paid, it’s like months and months and months and months after I’ve done the visit.”

And the experience also raises concerns that doulas will stop taking Medi-Cal patients altogether.

Doulas demand changes to Medi-Cal program

Doulas and groups representing them sent a letter to California’s Department of Health Care Services on Monday claiming they are experiencing denied and delayed repayment claims, and need more clarity and support from Medi-Cal managed care plans to navigate billing.

“These compliance issues are exacerbating…