Doula Services
Provider Type
- Physicians
- Participating Physician Groups (PPG)
- Hospitals
- Ancillary
This section contains general information on doula services. Doula services strive to prevent perinatal complications and improve health outcomes for birthing parents and infants.
- Doulas are birth workers who provide health education, advocacy, and physical, emotional and nonmedical support for pregnant and postpartum persons before, during and after childbirth (perinatal period) including support during miscarriage, stillbirth and abortion.
- Doulas also offer various types of support, including health navigation; lactation support; development of a birth plan; and linkages to community-based resources.
- Doulas are not licensed, and they do not require supervision. Doulas do not diagnose medical conditions, provide medical advice, or clinical assessment, exam, or procedure.
Eligibility requirements
- The member must be active and enrolled with Health Net.
- The member must be pregnant or have been pregnant within the past 12 months and would benefit from doula services.
Doula programs available
Members are offered a choice between two doula programs at no cost. A member may choose support under the Individual Doula Program or the Mahmee Virtual Doula Program, but not both.
1. Individual doula services – Members can receive doula services in person or virtually during the pregnancy in any setting, such as home, office hospital, or an alternative birthing center. Services include but are not limited to:
- An initial visit.
- Up to eight additional visits, including pre- and post-birth visits. All visits are limited to one per day, per member.
- Support during labor and birth.
- Up to two additional visits after birth to discuss breast feeding, mental health, and other concerns. Visits may last up to three hours.
How to find a doula
Call Health Net Provider Services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
Plan | Phone |
|---|---|
Ambetter PPO | 844-463-8188 |
Ambetter HMO | 888-962-2164 |
Health Net Employer Group (HMO, POS, and PPO) | 800-641-7761 |
2. Mahmee virtual doula
Mahmee offers virtual doula services via the Mahmee mobile app that is designed to better connect new moms with health care and support. Enrolled members get access to their digital program and access to a team of experts (wrap-around maternity support team) that includes doulas, registered nurses, lactation consultants, mental health coaches, nutrition coaches, infant feeding specialists and care coordinators. Providers connected to the Mahmee system can receive shared information. Services include but not limited to:
- Initial intake visit.
- Unlimited prenatal visits.
- Support during labor and birth.
- Up to two extended in-person postpartum visits (where available). Visits may last up to three hours.
- Members may work with one or more doulas during virtual and in-person visits.
- Mahmee offers in-person visits in select counties based on availability. Physicians and other providers can refer members to Mahmee directly to check availability of a doula in their county or contact the Health Net Member Services listed on the back of their member identification card.
Mahmee app
The digital platform gives the member access to one-on-one virtual visits, group chats, individual and group classes, coaching, and direct messaging. Plus, access to articles and videos.
How to enroll with Mahmee
Physicians and other providers can inform members to call Member Services. The number is on the back of their medical identification card. Members can also call Mahmee directly or register online at https://www.mahmee.com/ and select eligibility.
Mahmee: 818-431-1118
Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT.
Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT.
Note, a member may receive individual doula services or Mahmee virtual doula with wrap-around support, but not both.
Assistive services during visits
Doulas can also give assistive or supportive services during an in-home prenatal or postpartum visit. This support provides face-to-face interaction while helping with emotional or educational support, such as folding laundry or drying dishes with the pregnant member. An assistive or supportive activity with the member cannot be billed to the member.
Coordinating services
Doulas and Mahmee should work with the member’s primary care physician or obstetrician and contact Health Net if the members need additional support.
- Doulas do not replace a doctor or the care provider and do not provide medical advice.
- Mahmee is not a network of doctors. They do not replace the member’s current doctors or care providers. They act as a liaison between the member, doctor and their care team.
Non-covered doula services
The following are not covered under doula services:
- Belly binding (traditional/ceremonial)
- Birthing ceremonies (i.e., sealing, closing the bones, etc.)
- Group classes on babywearing
- Massage (maternal or infant)
- Photography
- Placenta encapsulation
- Shopping
- Vaginal steams
- Yoga