Maternal Health Benefits

Prenatal care is one of the best ways to ensure a healthy pregnancy and your baby’s healthy development. Regular prenatal visits help your care team track your baby’s growth, answer questions, and find problems early.

What’s Covered:

• • Prenatal checkups
  • Screening and routine tests
  • Care from an obstetrician (OB), Certified Nurse Midwife, or Licensed Midwife.

How to Get Care:

• • Call Member Services at 1-877-814-1861 (TTY:711) for help choosing or scheduling with an OB or midwife

Or

• • Use the Provider Directory to find an OB or midwife in your area, using these steps:
    • Go to https://provdir.cencalhealth.org/en/Home/SearchForDoctors?menu=Specialist
      • Scroll down to the General Search panel on the left side of the screen.
      • Find the Provider Specialty field and click on the drop down
      • Click the “Obstetric” option, and click search
      • Select your preferred OB or midwife

After your baby is born, a postpartum visit with your OB or midwife helps make sure you’re healing well, both emotionally and physically. This visit is an important part of your recovery and gives you a chance to talk about how you’re feeling, ask questions, and get support if needed.

What’s Covered

Postpartum visits and care are fully covered by CenCal Health.

How to Get Care

Your postpartum care should be with the provider that you saw during your pregnancy and/or delivery. If you need help finding a provider for your postpartum visit, use the steps below.

1. Call CenCal Health Member Services at 1-877-814-1861 (TTY: CA Relay at 711) for help getting services.

Or

2. Use the Provider Directory to find an OB or midwife in your area, using these steps:
   • Go to https://provdir.cencalhealth.org/en/Home/SearchForDoctors?menu=Specialist
     • Scroll down to the General Search panel on the left side of the screen.
     • Find the Provider Specialty field and click on the drop down
     • Click the “Obstetric” option, and click search
     • Select your preferred OB or midwife

Breastfeeding can be rewarding but can also be challenging. There are experts who can help you figure it out. CenCal Health covers breastfeeding education and support from Lactation Consultants.

Your OB, midwife, or CenCal Health Member Services can help connect you to a lactation expert.

How Lactation Support Helps

• • Lactation support can improve latch, reduce nipple pain, adjust feeding positions, and work through common breastfeeding challenges.
  • It can help manage low milk supply, oversupply, pumping routines, and safe milks storages
  • Lactation support reduces stress, strengths bonding, and improves overall feeding experiences for you and your baby.
  • A lactation specialist can help you plan for pumping at work and maintain your milk supply.

Breastfeeding gives your baby the best nutrition. It also helps protect your baby from sickness, allergies, and health problems by making their immune system stronger.

Breastfeeding also helps mothers. It can lower the chance of getting some illnesses, like cancer and diabetes, and it helps build a close bond with your baby.

What’s Covered

• • Up to 2-hour sessions per day in the office, home, or hospital
  • Breast pumps and supplies are also free with a prescription from your doctor

How to Get Care

To find a lactation provider in your area:

1. Call Member Services at 1-877-814-1861 (TTY:711) for help getting services.

Or

2. Use the Provider Directory to find a provider in your area, using these steps:
   • Go to https://provdir.cencalhealth.org/en/Home/SearchForDoctors?menu=Allied_Providers
     • Scroll down to the General Search panel on the left side of the screen.
     • Find the Provider Specialty field and click on the drop down
     • Click the “Lactation Consultant” option, and click search
     • Select your preferred provider

Learn More About Breastfeeding:

• • Health Education Article: Breastfeeding

Doulas provide physical, emotional, and educational support during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.

Doula services are available to CenCal Health members who are currently pregnant or were pregnant within the last 12 months, with a referral from their doctor.

Doulas help make each stage of the journey safer, calmer, and more supported. They offer:

• • Birth support which lowers the chance of cesarean birth, shortens labor, and improves communication with your care team
  • Hands on help like breathing guidance, positioning, and massage
  • Emotional support which boosts confidence and provides steady reassurance during pregnancy, labor, and early parenting
  • Postpartum care which supports rest, newborn feeding and soothing, early parenting guidance, and reduces the risk of postpartum mood disorders

What’s Covered:

• • One first visit to get to know your doula and discuss your needs
  • Up to eight more visits, which can be used before or after birth
  • Support during labor and delivery, including births that end in stillbirth, miscarriage, or abortion.
  • Two extended postpartum visits (three hours each) to help recovery, newborn care, and emotional support.

How to Get Care

First, ask your OB or Midwife to complete the Doula Recommendation Form and submit it to CenCal Health: https://form.cencalhealth.org/DOULA/DOULA

Then, to find a Doula provider near you:

1. Call CenCal Health Member Services at 1-877-814-1861 (TTY: CA Relay at 711) for help finding a provider.

Or

2. Use the Provider Directory to find a provider in your area, using these steps:
   • Go to https://provdir.cencalhealth.org/en/Home/SearchForFacilities?menu=Doula
     • Select your preferred provider

Learn More About Doulas:

• • Health Education Article: Doulas

Chiropractic care can offer safe support during pregnancy and postpartum when performed by trained providers experienced with perinatal care.

How this helps:

• • Helps relieve lower‑back, pelvic, and hip pain
  • Improves posture and alignment as the body changes
  • May reduce discomfort related to pelvic girdle pain
  • Supports recovery from postural strain after birth

What’s Covered

Chiropractic care is covered during pregnancy. It may also be covered for up to 60 days after you give birth, if you qualify.

You do not need a referral or approval for pregnancy-related chiropractic visits.

You can get up to 2 visits per month without a referral. If you need more than 2 visits in a month, your provider will need to get approval from CenCal Health first.

How to Get Care

To find a chiropractor in your area:

1. Call CenCal Health Member Services at 1-877-814-1861 (TTY: CA Relay at 711) for help finding a provider

Or

2. Use the Provider Directory to find a provider in your area, using these steps:
   • Go to https://provdir.cencalhealth.org/en/Home/SearchForDoctors?menu=Allied_Providers
     • Scroll down to the General Search panel on the left side of the screen.
     • Find the Provider Specialty field and click on the drop down
     • Click the “Chiropractic” option, and click search
     • Select your preferred provider

Learn more about chiropractic care:

• • Health Education Article: Chiropractic

Acupuncture is a treatment where very thin needles are gently placed into the skin to help reduce pain, help the body heal, and for other health reasons.

Acupuncture can be helpful for nausea, fatigue, stress, or other physical or emotional symptoms during pregnancy.

What’s Covered

Acupuncture is covered during pregnancy. It may also be covered for up to 60 days after you give birth, if you qualify.

You do not need a referral or approval to get acupuncture while you are pregnant.

You can get up to 2 visits per month. If you need more visits, your provider will need to ask CenCal Health for approval first.

How to Get Care

To find an acupuncture provider in your area:

1. You can call CenCal Health Member Services at 1-877-814-1861 (TTY: CA Relay at 711) for help finding a provider.

Or

2. Use the Provider Directory to find a provider in your area, using these steps:
   • Go to https://provdir.cencalhealth.org/en/Home/SearchForDoctors?menu=Allied_Providers
     • Scroll down to the General Search panel on the left side of the screen.
     • Find the Provider Specialty field and click on the drop down
     • Click the “Acupuncture” option, and click search
     • Select your preferred provider

Learn more about acupuncture:

• • Health Education Article: Acupuncture

Physical therapy is care by a licensed therapist that helps people move better, feel stronger, and reduce pain after an injury or illness. Physical therapy, and in particular pelvic floor physical therapy, during and after pregnancy can help with:

• • Back pain
  • Pelvic pain
  • Peeing when you sneeze, jump, cough
  • Pain during sex
  • Other discomfort or problems

What’s Covered

Your doctor needs to approve a referral to Physical therapy before you get services. The approval lasts for six months but can be renewed if it is still needed for your health.

How to Get Care

Ask your doctor for a referral to see a physical therapist. Your doctor can help you find a provider to see.

To find a physical therapist in your area:

1. You can call CenCal Health Member Services at 1-877-814-1861 (TTY: CA Relay at 711) for help finding a provider.

Or

2. Use the Provider Directory to find a provider in your area, using these steps:
   • Go to https://provdir.cencalhealth.org/en/Home/SearchForDoctors?menu=Specialist
     • Scroll down to the General Search panel on the left side of the screen.
     • Find the Provider Specialty field and click on the drop down
     • Click the “Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation” option, and click search
     • Select your preferred provider

Learn more about physical therapy:

• • Health Education Article: Physical Therapy

Your emotional health is just as important as your physical health. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or sad for more than two weeks, reach out for help.

What’s Covered:

CenCal Health covers mental health services like

• • Screenings
  • Consultations
  • Individual, group, and family therapy
  • Medications

You can get a mental health assessment without a referral anytime from a licensed mental health provider in the CenCal Health network. Your doctor can also refer you to another CenCal Health specialist if you need more care.

How to Get Care

To find a mental health provider in your area:

1. Call the Behavioral Health Department Member Line: 877-814-1861 for help finding a provider.

Or

2. Use the Provider Directory to find a provider in your area, using these steps:
   • Go to https://provdir.cencalhealth.org/en/Home/SearchForDoctors?menu=Mental_Health
     • Scroll down to the General Search panel on the left side of the screen.
     • Find the Provider Specialty field and click on the drop down
     • Click the “Psychologist” option, or any other specialty you need, and click search
     • Select your preferred provider

Learn more about mental and behavioral health:

Health Education Article: Mental and Behavioral Health

During pregnancy and postpartum, your body needs more of certain nutrients to support your health and your baby’s growth. When food alone doesn’t meet those needs, supplements can help fill the gaps.

Why Supplements Matter

• • Supplements help your baby’s brain, bones, and immune system grow.
  • Nutrients like folic acid lower the chance of certain birth defects
  • Iron supplements help maintain healthy blood levels
  • Supplements help replenish nutrients and supports energy during healing and breastfeeding

How to Get Your Supplements

1. Ask your provider to send a prescription for the vitamin or mineral supplement you need to your preferred pharmacy.
2. Go to your Pharmacy pickup and you will be given the supplement at no cost

Learn more about supplements:

• • Health Education article: Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

Nutrition education helps you learn how to choose foods and drinks that support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum recovery. A Registered Dietitian can help create a personal plan for you to feel your best.

What’s Covered:

Initial assessments with a contracted provider are covered for 4 hours per year. Individual follow-up visits are covered up to 2 hours per month. Group nutrition counseling is covered up to 8 hours every 9 months.

How to Get Care

To find a Nutrition Education provider in your area:

1. Call Member Services at 1-877-814-1861 (TTY:711) for help finding a provider.

Or

2. Use the Provider Directory to find a provider in your area, using these steps:
   • Go to https://provdir.cencalhealth.org/en/Home/SearchForDoctors?menu=Allied_Providers
     • Scroll down to the General Search panel on the left side of the screen.
     • Find the Provider Specialty field and click on the drop down
     • Click the “Nutrition Education” option, and click search
     • Select your preferred provider

Learn more about nutrition education:

• • Health Education Article: Nutrition During Pregnancy

WIC is a free program that helps pregnant people, new parents, babies, and young children get healthy food, nutrition support, breastfeeding help, and referrals to other community services.

Who Can Get WIC Services

WIC is not a CenCal Health benefit. WIC is free for people who:

• • Are pregnant
  • Recently had a baby
  • Are breastfeeding
  • Have a child under age 5
  • Meet income guidelines (most CenCal Health members qualify)

You do not need a Social Security number or specific immigration status to qualify for WIC.

If you qualify for WIC, you can get services:

• • During pregnancy
  • Up to 1 year after birth if breastfeeding
  • Up to 6 months after birth if not breastfeeding
  • For your baby up to 5 years old

How to Apply for WIC

Santa Barbara County:

• • WIC Office Locations: WIC Office Locations | Santa Barbara County, CA – Official Website
  • Apply online or by phone: https://www.countyofsb.org/4262/Apply-for-WIC

San Luis Obispo County

• • WC office locations: https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/departments/health-agency/public-health/all-public-health-services/health-promotion/women,-infants-and-children-(wic)/slo-wic-locations
  • WIC San Luis Obispo self‑referral form is available here: WIC Application Form.

• Well-child visits help make sure your baby is healthy, meeting developmental milestones, staying up to date on immunizations, and getting important screenings. Your newborn needs to start their well-child visits right away.Your baby needs visits at the following schedule:
  • At birth
  • Within 3-5 days
  • 1 month
  • 2 months
  • 4 months
  • 6 months
  • 9 months
  • 12 months
  • 15 months
  • 18 months
  • 24 months
  • 30 months
  • Continuing well-child visits once per year starting at age 3

   

  What is Covered

  • Well-child checkups which track growth, development, and overall health
  • All recommended vaccines for newborns and infants

  Important: Care for your baby can be covered under your (the mother’s) member ID until a newborn Medi-Cal ID is issued. Some hospitals and pediatricians can issue a newborn ID directly. If your baby is issued a Medi-Cal ID number, be sure to share this ID number with all care providers so that services can be billed to CenCal Health correctly.

  How to Schedule

  Contact your child’s pediatrician to schedule appointments.

  If you need help finding a pediatrician for your child:

  1. Call Member Services at 1-877-814-1861 (TTY:711) for help finding a pediatrician.

  Or

  2. Use the Provider Directory to find a provider in your area, using these steps:
     • Go to https://provdir.cencalhealth.org/en/Home/SearchForDoctors?menu=PCP
       • Browse through providers, specifically those listed as “Pediatrics”
       • Select your preferred provider

CenCal Health can provide helpful information, tools, and support your pregnancy and postpartum journeys.

If you would like to speak with a CenCal Health Educator, call 1-800-421-2560, ext. 3126. Leave a voicemail with your request and a health educator will call you back as soon as possible.

You can also send us a request for information or resources through your online Member Account at qrco.de/CCHmemberportal.

Resources for you!

• • Healthy Pregnancy Booklet – English
  • Healthy Pregnancy Booklet – Spanish
  • Newborn Checklist English
  • Newborn Checklist Spanish

If you would like a copy mailed to your home, or sent to your Member Portal Account, you can contact us at the Health Education Request Line or through your online Member Account.

You may also qualify for:

• • Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program

This program may help pay for healthy food and breastfeeding support.

• • Santa Barbara County WIC: 1-877-275-8805, de/SBWIC
  • San Luis Obispo County WIC: 1-800-660-3313, de/SLOWIC
  • Maternal Child Adolescent Health (MCAH) program.

This program promotes healthy living for mothers and their families through programs for reproductive health, family planning, pregnancy, birth defects, infants, children, teens, and more.

• • Santa Barbara County MCAH: 1-800-288-8145
  • San Luis Obispo County MCAH: 1-800-660-3313
  • Free transportation to medical appointments

CenCal Health provides free, covered transportation for eligible Medi-Cal members to and from medical appointments, including doctor visits, mental health services, dental care, and pharmacy/medical supply pick-ups.

• • For more information you can call CenCal Health’s Member Services, https://qrco.de/CCH-ContactUs, or Ventura Transit Systems at 1-855-659-4600.
  • Scheduling a ride typically requires calling at least one week before the appointment.