How to get contracted with Alameda Alliance for Health as a doula

1. 1

   Check the Alliance’s eligibility list

   The Alliance’s requirements match DHCS’s, with one detail to watch:

   • At least 18 when you submit the application.
   • Adult/infant CPR certification from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.
   • HIPAA training.
   • An NPI.
   • The training pathway (16+ hours across the five DHCS topics, with a certificate of completion, and support at three or more births) or the experience pathway (five years in the last seven, three letters, one from a licensed provider, a community-based organization or an enrolled doula).

   The Alliance counts an “enrolled doula” as one enrolled through DHCS or through a Medi-Cal plan, which matters if your recommendation letter comes from another doula.

2. 2

   Ask Provider Services for onboarding materials

   Start by asking the Alliance Provider Services Department for onboarding materials: call 1-510-747-4510 (Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 5 pm) or email providerservices@alamedaalliance.org. They send the documents marked as Alliance-provided below: the application, the Doula Attestation, and the New Provider Training. DHCS also lists Doula@alamedaalliance.org as the Alliance’s doula contracting contact.

   Send a W-9 for yourself or your doula business as soon as you can; the Alliance uses it to fill in your contract.

3. 3

   Review and sign the Alliance contract

   The Alliance lists signing its contract as its own step, alongside credentialing rather than after it. Read it for the rates, timely filing limits and the minimum malpractice coverage it expects before you sign.

4. 4

   Send the full credentialing packet

   The Alliance only starts processing a complete packet. Send it to the Credentialing Department at distgrpcredentialing@alamedaalliance.org, by fax to 1-510-955-3761, or by mail to Alameda Alliance for Health, ATTN: Credentialing Department, 1240 South Loop Road, Alameda, CA 94502. It needs:

   • The completed, signed and dated credentialing application, including the language assessment if you speak another language.
   • The signed attestation page from the Alliance’s New Provider Training.
   • The Alliance’s Doula Attestation, plus documents supporting your training or experience pathway.
   • Adult/infant CPR certification from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
   • An IRS W-9.
   • Proof of your FEIN from the IRS (Letter 147-C, Form 941, Form 8109-C, or the SS-4 confirmation notice). The legal name on your application must match the IRS document.
   • A driver’s license or state ID.
   • A local business license, tax certificate or permit for each city or county you work in, plus your fictitious business name permit if you have one.
   • A malpractice insurance face sheet (minimum coverage).
   • A CV or resume covering at least your last five years (or your whole time as a doula, if shorter), with start and end months and an explanation of any gap over six months.
   • Addendum C & D (in the application) or proof of Medi-Cal enrollment.
   • DHCS form 6208 or proof of Medi-Cal enrollment (every doula), and DHCS form 6207 or proof of Medi-Cal enrollment (incorporated doulas and doula groups only).
5. 5

   Know how Medi-Cal enrollment fits in

   Unlike some plans, the Alliance’s checklist doesn’t make DHCS approval a hard prerequisite. Each Medi-Cal item can be met either with proof of Medi-Cal enrollment or with the Alliance’s Addendum C & D and the DHCS disclosure forms (6208 for every doula; 6207 for incorporated doulas and groups). If you’re enrolled through PAVE, proof of enrollment covers all three.

   Even so, enrolling in PAVE keeps your options open: it’s needed for fee-for-service Medi-Cal and by most other plans. See how to become a Medi-Cal doula.

6. 6

   Bill the Alliance and handle recommendations

   • Codes: bill the Medi-Cal doula codes with their required diagnosis codes and modifier XP. See our Medi-Cal doula billing cheat sheet.
   • Recommendations: the Alliance posts its own Doula Services Benefit Recommendation Form that a member’s clinician can sign; the DHCS form or a note in the medical record also works under Medi-Cal’s rules.
   • Billing questions: DHCS lists Doula@alamedaalliance.org and PDept@AlamedaAlliance.org for doula billing, claims and payment at the Alliance.

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