How to get contracted with Central California Alliance for Health as a doula

1. 1

   Get screened and enrolled with DHCS

   The Alliance’s How to Join page is clear: all providers contracted with the Alliance must complete DHCS Medi-Cal screening and enrollment. Its doula application adds that Alliance credentialing is separate from DHCS enrollment, so you’ll do both. Enrollment through PAVE comes first on the Alliance’s own “Become a Doula at the Alliance” checklist, followed by an NPI, HIPAA training attestation, CPR certification, a business license and insurance.

   Not enrolled yet? See how to become a Medi-Cal doula.

2. 2

   Tell the Alliance you want to join

   Email the Provider Network team at joinus@thealliance.health, or call Provider Relations at 831-430-5504. The Alliance asks every new provider to confirm with the Provider Network team which application to use; for doulas it publishes a dedicated Doula Provider Credentialing Application (on its Credentialing Applications and Policies page, under Doula Services Provider). You’ll also sign the Alliance’s Services Agreement.

3. 3

   Complete the doula credentialing application and attachments

   The application lists what must come with it:

   • Addendum A & B, the Language Verification Form, the Declaration of Confidentiality, the Certification Regarding Debarment, a W-9, the New Provider Orientation and the Doula Attestation (all enclosed in the application).
   • 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 (as applicable).
   • A copy of your NPI.
   • Professional liability coverage of $1,000,000 per claim and $3,000,000 aggregate (the application says “as applicable”; ask the Alliance whether it applies to you before buying a policy).
   • A CV with dates in MM/YYYY format covering at least the last five years (or your whole doula career, if shorter), explaining any gap over six months.
   • Copies of your adult/infant CPR certification, HIPAA training, and driver’s license or state ID.
   • Documents supporting your training or experience pathway.

   Send it all to the Credentialing Department at credentialing@thealliance.health. (The 2023 application PDF still shows an older ccah-alliance.org address and a fax number, 831-430-5528; the website now uses the thealliance.health address.)

4. 4

   Credentialing review and your approval letter

   Every application is reviewed by an Alliance medical director or the Peer Review and Credentialing Committee. (The Alliance’s site review applies to primary care practices, not doulas.) Once you’re approved, the Alliance sends an approval letter and your countersigned Services Agreement. Then complete the Alliance’s New Provider Training (on its Webinars and Training page).

   Wait for that countersigned agreement before you bill the Alliance.

5. 5

   Set up billing and recommendations

   The last items on the Alliance’s doula checklist are training, checking member eligibility, claims coding and modifiers, and clearinghouse setup. Doula claims follow Medi-Cal’s rules: the doula codes, their required diagnosis codes and modifier XP on every line (see our billing cheat sheet). Contracted providers also get access to the Alliance Provider Portal.

   • Recommendations: the Alliance publishes Standing Orders for Doula Services approving doula services for eligible Alliance members, and asks providers to print a copy into the member’s medical record.
   • Claims questions: 831-430-5503 (billing, claim status). DHCS lists the same Claims line as the Alliance’s doula billing contact.
   • Rates: the Alliance says contracted, credentialed doulas can be reimbursed at up to 150% of the state’s Medi-Cal fee-for-service rates. Your Services Agreement sets your actual rates.

This guide summarizes Central California 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 Central California Alliance before you apply or bill.