For doulas in San Francisco

How to get contracted with San Francisco Health Plan as a doula

San Francisco Health Plan is the city’s local Medi-Cal plan. It covers doula care without prior authorization and lists its contracted doulas in its provider directory, but it doesn’t publish doula-specific contracting steps. Here’s what SFHP does publish, the contacts to use, and the general steps.

Updated October 5, 2026

SFHP doesn’t publish its doula contracting steps (we checked its provider pages on October 5, 2026). The steps below are the general process plus what SFHP does publish. Confirm the details with its provider team before you rely on them.

County
San Francisco
Contracting and credentialing
Provider Relations, provider.relations@sfhp.org
Provider Relations phone
1-415-547-7818 ext. 7084 (Mon–Fri, 8:30–5)
Prior authorization
Not required for doula services
Members find doulas
SFHP Provider Directory, Provider Category “Doula”
Before you apply
Enroll with Medi-Cal (PAVE), as DHCS requires

  1. Enroll with Medi-Cal

    DHCS’s rule for every plan is three steps: enroll as a Medi-Cal provider through PAVE, meet the plan’s credentialing requirements, and sign a contract with the plan. Start with how to become a Medi-Cal doula.

  2. Contact SFHP Provider Relations

    SFHP’s manual routes questions about network and contracting, credentialing and payment disputes to its Provider Relations Department: provider.relations@sfhp.org or 1-415-547-7818 ext. 7084 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm). DHCS lists the same address for SFHP doula contracting and billing. Ask:

    • Which application and credentialing documents SFHP needs from a doula, and how long review takes.
    • What liability insurance it requires.
    • Whether SFHP pays doula claims itself or a member’s medical group does (SFHP members are assigned to medical groups), and where to send claims.

  3. Get credentialed, contracted and listed

    SFHP tells members to find doulas in its Provider Directory (Search, then Provider Category, then “Doula”) and that they must work with a doula partnered with SFHP. Once you’re contracted, check your listing there.

  4. Bill without prior authorization

    • No prior authorization: SFHP’s manual says the standard course of doula care is covered by Medi-Cal’s standing recommendation. More care needs a licensed practitioner’s recommendation, written in the record, covered by a standing order, or on a signed form the member brings you.
    • Provider portal: register at sfhp.org (For Providers, then Provider Portal, then New User Registration) to check eligibility, view claim status and remittance advice, and void or resubmit claims. Provider Relations activates accounts within seven business days.
    • Codes: Medi-Cal’s doula codes, diagnosis pairings and modifier XP; see our billing cheat sheet.

    SFHP’s manual also tells hospitals and birthing centers not to put up barriers to doulas accompanying members, whatever the outcome of the pregnancy. Useful to have on hand if a facility questions your presence.

How many SFHP members use doulas

Very few, at least early on. DHCS’s July 2025 report on the doula benefit put SFHP among the plans with fewer than 11 members using doula services between January 2023 and June 2024 (DHCS suppresses smaller counts for privacy).

SFHP contacts for doulas

Contracting, credentialing and doula billing (per SFHP and DHCS)
provider.relations@sfhp.org
Provider Relations
1-415-547-7818
Customer Service (for your clients)
1-800-288-5555

Stuck with a plan? DHCS takes questions about plan contracting at DoulaBenefit@dhcs.ca.gov.

Sources

All sources checked October 5, 2026.

Common questions

How do I become a doula provider with San Francisco Health Plan?
Enroll with Medi-Cal through PAVE, then contact SFHP Provider Relations (provider.relations@sfhp.org, 1-415-547-7818 ext. 7084), which handles network, contracting and credentialing questions. SFHP doesn’t publish doula-specific steps, so ask what it needs.
Does SFHP require prior authorization for doula services?
No. SFHP’s Provider Manual says doula services don’t require prior authorization; the standard course of care is covered by Medi-Cal’s standing recommendation.

This guide summarizes San Francisco Health Plan (SFHP)’s published material for convenience and is not billing or legal advice. Plans change their processes and contacts; follow your contract and confirm with SFHP before you apply or bill.