DHCS Extends Postpartum Care Coverage Period

Effective Friday, April 1, 2022, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will extend the postpartum care coverage period for currently eligible and newly eligible pregnant individuals. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Postpartum Care Expansion (PCE) extends the coverage period from 60 days to 365 days for individuals eligible for pregnancy and postpartum care services in Medi-Cal and the Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP).

ARPA PCE coverage includes the full breadth of medically necessary services during pregnancy and the extended postpartum period. Pregnant and postpartum individuals do not have to request PCE or provide any additional information. All Medi-Cal and MCAP-eligible individuals who report a pregnancy or are in their postpartum period are automatically eligible for ARPA PCE, regardless of immigration status or how the pregnancy ends.

All DHCS systems have been programmed and are prepared for April 1 implementation. For questions about the expansion, DHCS has established an inbox (pregnancy@dhcs.ca.gov).