Covered Services
PHC California covers the following services with no copays or deductibles. Limitations and rules on how to get care are below. More detailed information is in the Member Handbook (Combined Evidence of Coverage (EOC) and Disclosure Form) (effective 2024). Look in Section 4, Benefits and Services. If you have questions about covered services, please contact Member Services.
Services Provided | Limitations |
Acupuncture | PHC California covers acupuncture services to prevent, modify or alleviate the perception of severe, persistent chronic pain resulting from a generally recognized medical condition. Outpatient acupuncture services (with or without electric stimulation of the needles) are covered; limited to two (2) services per month, in combination with audiology, chiropractic, occupational therapy and speech therapy services; requires prior authorization |
Alcohol Abuse Treatment | Available through the Drug Medi-Cal Program. PHC California will refer members to Los Angeles County Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Program for such services if necessary. (By clicking on the link above, you will be taken to a website operated by Los Angeles County Public Health and not PHC California.) |
Allergy Care | PHC California covers allergy testing and treatment, including allergy desensitization, hyposensitization, or immunotherapy when medically necessary; no limits; certain services require prior authorization |
Ambulance Services | For emergencies; covered when medically necessary; no limits |
Anesthesiologist Services | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Audiology Services | Covered when medically necessary; limited to two (2) services per month, in combination with acupuncture, chiropractic, occupational therapy and speech therapy services; requires prior authorization |
Behavioral Health Treatments | Behavioral health treatment includes services and treatment programs, such as applied behavior analysis and evidence-based behavior intervention programs that develop or restore, to the maximum extent practicable, the functioning of an individual; covered when medically necessary; requires prior authorization |
Cancer Clinical Trials | PHC California covers a clinical trial if it is related to the prevention, detection or treatment of cancer or other life-threatening conditions and if the study is conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Studies must be approved by the National Institutes of Health, the FDA, the Department of Defense or the Veterans Administration. |
Case Management and Disease Management Services | Covered; no limits |
Certified Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant Services | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; certain services require prior authorization |
Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy | Covered; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Chiropractic Services | Covered when medically necessary; limited to two (2) services per month in combination with acupuncture, audiology, occupational therapy and speech therapy services; limited to the treatment of the spine by means of manual manipulation; procedures require prior authorization |
Clinical Services from Federally Qualified Health Care Centers (FQHCs) and Indian Health Clinics | Primary care and preventive physician services covered; limit of one (1) visit per day |
Clinical Services from Los Angeles County Health Services Clinics | Primary care and preventive physician services covered; limit of one (1) visit per day |
Clinical Services from Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) | Primary care, preventive physician and laboratory services covered; limit of one (1) visit per day; certain laboratory services require prior authorization |
Dermatology Services | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; certain services require prior authorization |
Dialysis Services (hospital-based and free standing) | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Doula Services | Covered for members who are pregnant or were pregnant in the past year when recommended by a physician or licensed practitioner. Medi-Cal does not cover all doula services. Doulas are birth workers who provide health education, advocacy, and physical, emotional, and non-medical support for pregnant and postpartum persons before, during, and after childbirth, including support during miscarriage, stillbirth, and abortion. |
Durable Medical Equipment | Covered when medically necessary; requires prior authorization |
Emergency Room Services | Covered when medically necessary; no limits |
Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition | These methods of delivering nutrition to the body are used when a medical condition prevents you from eating food normally. Covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Family Planning Services | Covered; no limits. Available through any participating Medi-Cal provider. |
Hearing Aids | PHC California covers hearing aids if you are tested for hearing loss and have a prescription from your doctor; requires prior authorization |
Home Health Care Services | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Hospice Care | Covered for terminally ill members who have a life expectancy of six months or less; requires prior authorization. |
Immunizations | Covered; no limits |
Inpatient Hospital Services, including Anesthesiologist and Surgical Services | Covered when medically necessary; no co-pay; requires prior authorization. |
Investigational Services | Covered when conventional therapies will not adequately treat condition or prevent disability or death; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Laboratory/X-Ray/Imaging Services | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; certain services require prior authorization |
Long-Term Care | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Maternity Services, including:
| Covered when medically necessary; no limits; certain services require prior authorization |
Medical Supplies, Equipment and Appliances | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Medical/Drug Treatment Therapies | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Mental Health Services | PHC California covers an initial mental health assessment without requiring prior authorization. You may get a mental health assessment at any time from a licensed mental health provider in the PHC California network without a referral. Your PCP or mental health provider will make a referral for additional mental health screening to a specialist within the PHC California network to determine your level of impairment. If your mental health screening results determine you are in mild or moderate distress or have impairment of mental, emotional or behavioral functioning, PHC California can provide mental health services for you through its mental health provider network. Specialty mental health services and inpatient psychiatric services available through the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. (By clicking on the link above, you will be taken to a website operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and not PHC California.) PHC California will refer you for such services if you need them. |
Medical/Drug Treatment Therapies | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Occupational Therapy | PHC California covers occupational therapy services, including occupational therapy evaluation, treatment planning, treatment, instruction and consultative services when medically necessary; limited to two (2) services per month, in combination with acupuncture, audiology, chiropractic and speech therapy services; requires prior authorization |
Ophthalmology Services | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Ostomy and Urological Supplies | PHC California covers ostomy bags, urinary catheters, draining bags, irrigation supplies and adhesives when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Outpatient Hospital Services | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Outpatient Surgery | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Optometric and Vision Services | Routine eye exams and prescriptions for eye glasses/corrective lenses covered. No limits. Eyeglasses are covered for members once every 24 months; contact lens when required for medical conditions such as aphakia, aniridia and keratoconus. |
Outpatient Rehabilitation Services
| Covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Palliative Care | Covered; requires prior authorization |
Physical Therapy | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Physician Primary Care Services | Covered; limited to one (1) visit per day |
Physician Specialty Care Services | Covered when medically necessary; limited to one (1) visit per day per specialist; referral required; procedures require prior authorization |
Podiatry Services | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; certain services require prior authorization |
Prescription Drugs | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; prior authorization required on certain drugs; quantity limits on certain drugs |
Prosthetic and Orthotic Appliances | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Reconstructive Services | PHC California covers surgery to correct or repair abnormal structures of the body to improve or create a normal appearance to the extent possible. Abnormal structures of the body are those caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease. No limits; requires prior authorization. |
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Testing, Counseling and Treatment | Covered; no limits; available through any participating Medi-Cal provider |
Skilled Nursing Facility Services | Covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization |
Speech Therapy | Covered when medically necessary; limited to two (2) services per month in combination with acupuncture, audiology, chiropractic and occupational therapy; requires prior authorization |
Substance Abuse Treatment | Available through the Drug Medi-Cal Program. PHC California will refer members to Los Angeles County Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Program for such services if necessary. (By clicking on the link above, you will be taken to a website operated by Los Angeles County Public Health and not PHC California.) |
Transgender Services | PHC California covers transgender services (gender-affirming services) as a benefit when they are medically necessary or when the services meet the criteria for reconstructive surgery. Requires prior authorization. |
Transplant Services | Kidney transplant covered when medically necessary; no limits; requires prior authorization. Other major organ transplants covered under Regular Medi-Cal (fee for service) and require disenrollment from the plan. |
Transportation (Non-Emergency) | Covered; no limits; plan must arrange transportation to and from plan-approved locations |
The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. Limitations and restrictions apply. Benefits, formulary, and/or pharmacy network may change.
DHCS 030716 PHC FR Form 1.0