Is doula care really covered by my Medi-Cal insurance?

Most families ask this because they assume professional doula support is too expensive to be real. If you are on Blue Cross, Kaiser, LA Care, IEHP, Partnership Health Plan of California, or another Medi-Cal Managed Care plan, you very likely qualify for full coverage with nothing due at the visit. Call us with your plan name and we will confirm your specific benefits before you commit to anything.

Can I reach a real person if I have questions?

Call (833) 912-3999 during business hours and you will talk to a real person. No voicemail menus, no automated queue. If you just need a quick answer, that is the fastest way to get one.

What is the difference between a doula and a medical provider?

A doula handles the support side, not the medical side. Breathing, comfort, advocacy, someone who stays through the whole thing. Ellen does not replace your OB or midwife. What she adds is years inside the Pediatric and Neonatal ICU, which means she understands how hospitals work, how to communicate with clinical staff, and how to stay calm when the room is not.

Yes, and it is one of the situations where having a prepared advocate makes a real difference. Ellen helps you go in with evidence, a clear plan, and your preferences documented before labor begins. The earlier you reach out, the more time you have to prepare properly.

Do you provide support for pregnancy loss or abortion?

Yes. Both. You do not need to explain your circumstances to get that support. Ellen provides confidential care through miscarriage, stillbirth, and abortion, at your pace, without judgment. Your privacy is taken seriously from the very first conversation.

What areas do you serve?

California, and Ellen comes to you. No office visit, no commute, no parking to deal with. As a mobile provider, families across the state are in the service area.

How do I get started?

Call (833) 912-3999 or fill out the contact form on this page. Share your due date, your Medi-Cal plan, and the type of support you are looking for. We will reach out within one business day to schedule your initial assessment visit.

How much does doula care cost with Medi-Cal?

If you have a qualifying Medi-Cal Managed Care plan, doula services through EH Nursing are covered at no out-of-pocket cost to you. That includes Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, LA Care, IEHP, Partnership Health Plan of California, and other Medi-Cal HMO plans. We verify your coverage before your first visit so there are no surprises.

Can a doula attend my hospital birth or home birth in California?

Yes. Ellen attends both hospital births and home births throughout California. As a mobile provider, she comes to wherever you plan to deliver. For hospital births she works alongside your OB and nursing team. For home births she coordinates with your midwife. No office visit is ever required.

What happens at the initial assessment visit?

The initial assessment is where Ellen learns who you are. She reviews your birth history, listens to your goals, and asks about anything you are hoping to avoid or prepare for. Before the visit ends, she puts together a written support plan tailored to your needs. There is nothing to prepare in advance. Just show up and tell her what matters to you.

Legal

Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Last updated: April 2026

Privacy Policy

1. About This Policy

EH Nursing and Wellness Services (“EH Nursing,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of every person who contacts us or uses our services. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information, including health information, in connection with our website at ehnursing.org and our doula services.

2. HIPAA Compliance

As a Medi-Cal approved doula provider, EH Nursing handles Protected Health Information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and its implementing regulations. We maintain appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your PHI. You have the right to request access to, amendment of, and an accounting of disclosures of your PHI. To exercise these rights, contact us at contact@ehnursing.org or call (833) 912-3999.

3. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide to us directly, including:

Contact details such as name, phone number, and email address
Pregnancy and health-related information such as due date, birth history, and support needs
Medi-Cal plan information for the purpose of verifying coverage eligibility
Any other information you voluntarily share when contacting us

We also collect limited technical data automatically, such as browser type, IP address, and pages visited, through standard website analytics tools. This data is used only to improve our website and is not linked to your health information.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information to:

Schedule and conduct your initial assessment visit and ongoing doula services
Verify your Medi-Cal eligibility and coordinate with your health plan
Communicate appointment reminders and service-related updates
Improve the quality of care we provide
Comply with applicable legal and regulatory obligations

5. Medi-Cal and Insurance Disclosures

To process Medi-Cal claims and verify coverage, we may share your health information with your Medi-Cal Managed Care plan, including Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, LA Care Health Plan, IEHP (Inland Empire Health Plan), Partnership Health Plan of California, and other participating plans. These disclosures are limited to what is necessary to obtain payment for services and are governed by HIPAA. We do not sell your information to your insurer or any third party for marketing purposes.

6. Confidentiality for Sensitive Services

We take special precautions to protect information related to sensitive services including abortion support, pregnancy loss support, and any LGBTQ+ family care. Information shared in connection with these services is treated with the highest level of confidentiality. We will not disclose this information without your explicit written authorization except as required by law.

7. Information Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share information with service providers who help us operate our website and deliver services, subject to strict confidentiality agreements. We may disclose information as required by law, court order, or to protect the rights and safety of our clients and staff.

8. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) including the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to delete personal information, and the right to opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information. To submit a privacy request, email contact@ehnursing.org or call (833) 912-3999.

9. Data Retention

We retain client health records and related information for a minimum of seven years following the last date of service, or as required by California law and Medi-Cal regulations. Contact form submissions that do not result in a client relationship are retained for a maximum of 12 months.

10. Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Our website uses HTTPS encryption for all data in transit. Despite our precautions, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Contact Us About Privacy

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, contact us at:

EH Nursing and Wellness Services

Van Nuys, Los Angeles County, CA

Phone: (833) 912-3999

Email: contact@ehnursing.org

Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the EH Nursing and Wellness Services website at ehnursing.org or by engaging our doula services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our website or services.

2. Nature of Services

EH Nursing provides non-medical doula support services. Our services are designed to complement, not replace, the care provided by licensed medical professionals including obstetricians, midwives, and hospital nursing staff. Ellen Hakopyan is a credentialed Nurse Practitioner; however, doula services delivered through EH Nursing are provided in a non-clinical capacity and do not constitute the practice of medicine or nursing as defined by California law.

3. Medi-Cal Coverage

EH Nursing is a Medi-Cal approved doula provider. Coverage eligibility depends on your specific Medi-Cal Managed Care plan. We will verify your benefits before your first visit. Coverage determinations are made by your health plan, not by EH Nursing. We cannot guarantee coverage for any specific service or individual.

4. Appointments and Cancellations

We ask that you provide at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a prenatal or postpartum appointment. For birth support, we understand that labor is unpredictable and we will always make reasonable accommodations. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations may affect your ability to schedule future appointments.

5. Limitation of Liability

EH Nursing and Wellness Services shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of our website or services. Our total liability for any claim arising from the use of our services shall not exceed the total amount paid for those services in the three months preceding the claim. Nothing in these terms limits our liability for gross negligence or willful misconduct.

6. Governing Law

These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of the State of California. Any disputes arising from these terms or our services shall be resolved in the courts of Los Angeles County, California.

7. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms of Service and Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted to this page with an updated date. Your continued use of our website or services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms.