2024 Medi-Cal Member Handbook

 

In Network Providers

You will use providers in the L.A. Care network for most of your health care needs. You will get preventive and routine care from in-network providers. You will also use specialists, hospitals and other providers in the L.A. Care network.

To get a Provider Directory of in-network providers, call Member Services at 1-888-839-9909 (TTY: 711). You can use the L.A. Care Online Provider Directory to find a specific provider or to search for providers in your area. You can download a copy of the Provider Directory (available in eleven languages) from the Medi-cal Member Materials page.

To get a copy of the Contract Drug List, visit the Medi-Cal Rx website or call Medi-Cal Rx at 1-800-977-2273 (TTY 800-977-2273 and press 5 or 711).

You must get pre-approval (prior authorization) from L.A. Care before you go to a provider outside the L.A. Care network, including inside the L.A. Care service area, except in these cases:

  • If you need emergency care, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
  • If you are outside the L.A. Care service area and need urgent care, go to any urgent care facility.
  • If you need family planning services, go to any Medi-Cal provider without pre-approval (prior authorization).
  • If you need mental health services, go to an in-network provider or a county mental health plan provider, without pre-approval (prior authorization).

If you are not in one of the cases listed above and you do not get pre-approval (prior authorization) before getting care from a provider outside the network, you might be responsible for paying for any care you got from out-of-network providers.

Back to Provider Network