How much does Medi-Cal pay a doula per client?

At the fee-for-service rates effective January 1, 2024, one recommendation covers up to $3,152.65 per pregnancy: the initial visit ($197.98), 8 prenatal or postpartum visits ($162.11 each), vaginal birth support ($685.07) and two 3-hour extended postpartum visits ($486.36 each). Cesarean support pays $795.73 and VBAC support $768.69, and a second recommendation adds up to 9 more postpartum visits.

Do Medi-Cal managed care plans pay doulas the same rates?

Medi-Cal managed care plans must pay their in-network (contracted) doulas no less than the Medi-Cal targeted rate for each service. A plan can pay more under your contract; check your contract’s fee schedule.

How is the extended postpartum visit (T1032) paid?

T1032 is billed per 15 minutes. A visit of at least three hours is billed as up to 12 units on one line, and you can bill up to two such visits (24 units) per pregnancy, on separate days. The calculator counts each extended visit as a full 12 units.

Can I bill a prenatal visit on the same day as the birth?

Yes, one prenatal or postpartum visit may be billed on the same day as labor and delivery, miscarriage or abortion support, and a different doula may bill it. Otherwise Medi-Cal pays one doula visit per member per day.

Free tool for doulas

Medi-Cal doula reimbursement calculator

Plan a client’s visits and see what Medi-Cal pays for each one. The calculator keeps you inside Medi-Cal’s per-pregnancy limits, and the link updates as you go, so you can bookmark or share the estimate.

Rates: Medi-Cal fee-for-service, effective January 1, 2024 (DHCS). Checked October 5, 2026.

Expected Medi-Cal reimbursement

$3,152.65

per client, at Medi-Cal fee-for-service rates

Service	Amount
Z1032 Initial visit (90 minutes)	$197.98
Z1034 × 4Prenatal visit, $162.11 each	$648.44
Z1038 × 4Postpartum visit, $162.11 each	$648.44
59409 Labor and delivery support: vaginal birth	$685.07
T1032 × 2Extended postpartum visit (3 hours, 12 units), $486.36 each	$972.72

Medi-Cal managed care plans must pay their in-network doulas at least these rates; your contract may pay more.

Medi-Cal doula rates by code

Code	Service	Medi-Cal rate
Z1032	Initial visit (90 minutes)	$197.98
Z1034	Prenatal visit	$162.11
Z1038	Postpartum visit	$162.11
T1032	Extended postpartum visit (3 hours, 12 units)	$486.36
59409	Labor and delivery support: vaginal birth	$685.07
59612	Labor and delivery support: vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)	$768.69
59620	Labor and delivery support: cesarean birth	$795.73
T1033	Support during or after miscarriage	$250.85
59840	Support during or after abortion	$250.85

Every line also needs modifier XP and one of the diagnosis codes Medi-Cal allows for that code. See the Medi-Cal doula billing cheat sheet for the full rules.

The limits the calculator applies

1 initial visit (Z1032), at least 90 minutes.
8 more visits in any mix of prenatal (Z1034) and postpartum (Z1038).
1 labor and delivery, miscarriage or abortion support service per pregnancy.
2 extended postpartum visits (T1032) of 3 hours, on separate days.
Up to 9 more postpartum visits with a second recommendation, which can’t come from a standing order.

What the estimate leaves out

Denials: a missing XP modifier, a diagnosis code that doesn’t match, or a visit over the limit pays $0.
Visits another doula already billed for the same pregnancy count against the same limits.
Managed care contracts that pay above the Medi-Cal rate.
Clearinghouse or billing service fees.

Common questions

How much does Medi-Cal pay a doula per client?: At the fee-for-service rates effective January 1, 2024, one recommendation covers up to $3,152.65 per pregnancy: the initial visit ($197.98), 8 prenatal or postpartum visits ($162.11 each), vaginal birth support ($685.07) and two 3-hour extended postpartum visits ($486.36 each). Cesarean support pays $795.73 and VBAC support $768.69, and a second recommendation adds up to 9 more postpartum visits.
Do Medi-Cal managed care plans pay doulas the same rates?: Medi-Cal managed care plans must pay their in-network (contracted) doulas no less than the Medi-Cal targeted rate for each service. A plan can pay more under your contract; check your contract’s fee schedule.
How is the extended postpartum visit (T1032) paid?: T1032 is billed per 15 minutes. A visit of at least three hours is billed as up to 12 units on one line, and you can bill up to two such visits (24 units) per pregnancy, on separate days. The calculator counts each extended visit as a full 12 units.
Can I bill a prenatal visit on the same day as the birth?: Yes, one prenatal or postpartum visit may be billed on the same day as labor and delivery, miscarriage or abortion support, and a different doula may bill it. Otherwise Medi-Cal pays one doula visit per member per day.

Estimates use the published Medi-Cal fee-for-service rates and aren’t a guarantee of payment or billing advice. Rates change; check the current Medi-Cal fee schedule and your plan contract. Not enrolled yet? Read how to become a Medi-Cal doula.