Continuity of Care

Continuity of Care

 If you are already receiving mental health services from another County Mental Health Plan (MHP), a managed care plan, or an individual Medi-Cal practitioner; you may make a request for “Continuity of Care” so that you can stay with your current provider, for up to 12-months, under certain conditions.

What is "Continuity of Care"

“Continuity of Care” means that clients have the option to continue to receive services from the provider that they were seeing before enrolling with DHHS-BHB.

How to Make the Request

A client, the client’s authorized representative, or a client’s provider can make the request to DHHS-BHB to continue to receive services from their current or previous provider if that provider was seen within the last 12 months. Clients can make the request in writing, or via telephone. The request does not need to be submitted on paper or electronic form. However, DHHS-BHB will need to collect all the information needed verbally to decide whether to grant the request. 

If you need help completing the request for “Continuity of Care”, let the receptionist or your provider know and s(he) will make sure that you get the help that you need at no cost to you.

How Long Will I Have to Wait After DHHS-BHB Receives My Request

Each “Continuity of Care” request is completed within the following timeframes: 

• 30 calendar days for non-urgent requests. 
• 15 calendar days if client needs more immediate attention. 
• Within 3 calendar days if there is a risk of harm to the client. 

Requirements for Providers 

If your provider is an out-of-network provider, all the following conditions must be met: 

• You have an existing relationship with the provider you are requesting; 
• You need to stay with your current provider to continue ongoing treatment or because it would hurt your mental health condition to change to a new provider; 
• The provider meets certain requirements under state and federal law; and, 
• The provider agrees to the MHP’s terms and conditions for contracting with the plan. 

If your provider was a DHHS-BHB provider but terminated employment, the following requirements must be met in addition to the ones above: 

• The provider voluntarily terminated their employment or contract, 
• or 

DHHS-BHB terminated the provider’s employment or contract for reasons not related to either quality of care or eligibility of the provider to participate in the Medi-Cal program. 

Contact: 

DHHS-Behavioral Health Branch, 455 K St., Crescent City, CA 95531

  Fax to: (707) 465-4272       Questions: 1-888-446-4408 (toll-free)