MedicaidCoverageHigh impact
05-29-2026 Maternity Services for Pregnant and Postpartum Medi-Cal Members APL 26-005 IE LA SAC SD
Molina Healthcare·CA · OB-GYN, Family Medicine, Pediatrics +1 more·Medicaid
Effective date
May 29, 2026
We identified it
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
Molina Healthcare has issued comprehensive new requirements for maternity care for Medi-Cal members, establishing standardized protocols for risk assessments, care coordination, and expanded services including doula care, lactation support, and behavioral health screening throughout pregnancy and 12 months postpartum. This policy consolidates and supersedes multiple previous guidelines, requiring providers to ensure coordinated care across multiple specialties and document all assessments and referrals.
Action Required
Immediately: Providers must implement comprehensive risk assessment protocols at initial prenatal visits, each trimester, and postpartum periods including depression, substance use, and intimate partner violence screening. Update documentation templates to capture all required assessments, referrals, and care coordination activities. Establish workflows for coordinating with doulas, lactation consultants, community health workers, and behavioral health services. Ensure billing staff understand expanded covered services including doula services, CHW services, and extended 12-month postpartum coverage. Review and update prior authorization processes to eliminate unnecessary barriers for maternity services.