Medi-Cal
Mental health services may include treatment for anxiety, depression, or behavior health problems. Your doctor can provide you with some outpatient mental health services. Behavioral health services such as psychotherapy and medication management are provided to L.A. Care members by Carelon Behavioral Health.
There are some specialized mental health services that are provided to Medi-Cal members through the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH). You may receive services from Carelon Behavioral Health or from LACDMH with or without a referral from your doctor.
See the Benefit Descriptions section of your Member Handbook to learn more about L.A. Care's Mental Health Services.
L.A. Care Covered™ and L.A. Care Covered Direct™
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (MH/SUD) benefits are covered through Carelon Behavioral Health. You or your PCP can call Carelon's Behavioral Health Hotline at 1-877-344-2858 (TTY 1-800-735-2929) to get an appointment. Prior authorization is not required for general outpatient health services for in-network providers. In addition, there is no limitation on the number of visits for medically necessary MH/SUD services. For information on services that do not require prior authorization and the general process for obtaining prior authorization for all other MH/SUD services, please call the Behavioral Health Hotline or review your plan’s Evidence of Coverage at L.A. Care Covered™ and L.A. Care Covered Direct™.
