Prior Authorization Requirements
California
Medi-Cal
Effective April 11, 2025
The services, procedures, equipment and outpatient pharmaceuticals below apply to Health Net, CalViva Health and Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley Medi-Cal fee-for-service (FFS) members in the following counties:
- Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuolumne
- Fresno, Kings and Madera (CalViva Health) – providers servicing CalViva Health members can also access prior authorization requirements here (PDF)
- Imperial (Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (CHPIV)) – providers servicing CHPIV members can also access prior authorization requirements here (PDF)
These are subject to prior authorization (PA) requirements (unless noted as "notification" required only) if an “X” is included under the applicable age group. If “X” is not present, PA may not be required or the service, procedure, equipment, or outpatient pharmaceutical may not be a covered benefit. PA is guaranteed only as of the time of access to this prior authorization requirements page.
Member questions – If members have questions regarding the PA list or requirements, refer to the member services number listed on their identification card.
Medical necessity – Medical necessity must exist for any plan benefit to be a covered service whether a PA is required or not.
Services that require PA vs. covered services – This PA list is not intended to be a list of covered services. The member’s Evidence of Coverage (EOC) provides a complete list of covered services. EOCs are available for Health Net Medi-Cal members on the Medi-Cal member page under Medi-Cal Member Handbooks; EOCs for CalViva Health members can be accessed at CalViva Health Member Resources; EOCs for Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley members are available at Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley Member Resources.
Eligibility rules and limitations – Providers are responsible for verifying member eligibility through the Medi-Cal Provider Services Center prior to providing care. Even if a service or supply is authorized, eligibility rules and benefit limitations will still apply – all services, procedure, equipment, or outpatient pharmaceuticals are subject to benefit plan coverage limitations.
Submit a PA request
- Send the request via fax, phone or online.
- Submit the request to Health Net - Prior Authorization unless stated differently in requirements listed below.
- The inpatient Health Net (PDF), CalViva Health (PDF), Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (PDF)) or outpatient (Health Net, CalViva Health, Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley) Medi-Cal Prior Authorization Request form must be completed in its entirety.
- Attach pertinent medical records, treatment plans, test results, and evidence of conservative treatment to support the medical appropriateness of the request.
- For more submission instructions, see ‘Avoid Processing Delays for Prior Authorization Requests with These Guidelines .’
If the request is for … | Submit prior authorization request: |
|---|---|
An elective in-patient or outpatient services or procedures. | As soon as the need for service is identified. |
A routine request or procedure. | At least five business days before a scheduled procedure. |
An urgent request or procedure. | 72 hours before a scheduled procedure. Emergency services do not require prior authorization. |
PA limitations and exclusions, in addition to sensitive, confidential or other services that do not require PA for Medi-Cal members, are provided below.
Inpatient Services
Submit a prior authorization request to Health Net - Prior Authorization unless stated differently in requirements listed below.
Inpatient Services1
| Adult Members Ages 21 and over | Pediatric Members Under Age 21 |
|---|---|---|
Skilled nursing facilities All elective admissions | X | X |
All elective medical and surgical inpatient hospitalizations Includes, but is not limited to:
Musculoskeletal procedures for adult members authorized by TurningPoint Healthcare Solutions, LLC | X | X |
All emergency hospitalizations within 24 hours of hospital admission
| X | X |
All hospitalizations to a nonparticipating hospital once emergency stabilization is complete | X | X |
1Procedures performed during acute inpatient hospitalization are included under the inpatient PA (excluding experimental and investigational procedures). Procedures in emergency situations do not require PA.
Outpatient Services
Submit a prior authorization request to Health Net - Prior Authorization unless stated differently in requirements listed below.
Outpatient Services | Adult Members Ages 21 and over | Pediatric Members Under Age 21 |
|---|---|---|
Ablative techniques for treating Barrett’s esophagus and for treatment of primary and metastatic liver malignancies | X | X |
Acupuncture
| X | X |
Bariatric surgeries, such as laparoscopic gastric banding | X | X |
Behavioral health (outpatient services)
| X | X |
Bronchial thermoplasty | X | X |
Capsule endoscopy | X | X |
Cardiac procedures | X | |
Clinical trials To receive urgent status for routine services requiring authorization related to a clinical trial, include the Attestation form in your request or indicate “Routine Care Cost Services Associated with the Clinical Trial” | X | X |
Cochlear implants | X | X |
Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS)
| X | X |
Custom orthotics | X | X |
Dental anesthesia: Intravenous (IV) moderate sedation and deep sedation/general anesthesia | X | X |
Developmental screening PA required for ages 6–20 | X | |
Diagnostic procedures Authorized by Evolent Specialty Services, Inc. (Evolent) Advanced imaging:
Cardiac imaging:
| X | X |
Durable medical equipment (DME) Adult members including, but not limited to:
All DME for pediatric members requires PA | X | X |
Enteral nutrition products | X | X |
Experimental/investigational services and new technologies Includes, but is not limited to, those listed in the Investigational Procedures List (PDF) | X | X |
Gender reassignment services (Transgender services) | X | X |
Genetic testing | X | X |
H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) antibody testing | X | X |
Intensive cardiac rehabilitation | X | X |
Joint surgeries – includes ankle, hip, knee and shoulder
| X | X |
Leg stent bridge | X | X |
Lung volume reduction | X | X |
Maze procedures | X | X |
Neuro and spinal cord stimulators, including procedures
| X | X |
Orthognathic procedures (includes TMJ treatment) | X | X |
Out-of-network providers and services
| X | X |
Outpatient infusion therapy Includes, but is not limited to, blood transfusions and chemotherapy | X | |
Outpatient elective surgery | X | |
Palliative care | X | X |
Private duty nursing services Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) services | X | |
Proprietary laboratory analyses Includes the following CPT® codes: 0457U, 0459U, 0462U, 0468U, 0472U | X | X |
Prosthetics | X | |
Quantitative drug screening
| X | X |
Radiation therapy – All radiation for pediatric members requires PA
| X | |
Radiation therapy – adult members Limited to:
| X | |
Reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, services and supplies Surgery, services and supplies, including, but not limited to:
| X | X |
Rehabilitation services Physical, occupational and speech therapy require authorization after 12 combined visits. Includes home setting | X | |
Sleep studies
| X | X |
Spinal surgery – includes, but is not limited to, laminotomy, fusion, diskectomy, vertebroplasty, nucleoplasty, stabilization, and X-Stop
| X | X |
Transplant
| X | X |
Transportation
| X | X |
Trigger point and sacroiliac (SI) joint injections | X | X |
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and laser-assisted UPPP | X | X |
Ventriculectomy, cardiomyoplasty | X | X |
Vestibuloplasty Surgical procedure | X | X |
Wound care Including but not limited to:
| X | X |
Outpatient Pharmaceuticals (Submitted Under Medical Benefit)
Medications
- Authorized by Health Net Pharmacy Services
OUTPATIENT PHARMACEUTICALS (Submitted Under Medical Benefit) | |
|---|---|
Medications newly approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | May require prior authorization – Contact Health Net Pharmacy Services to confirm |
Self-injectables |
|
Testosterone therapy | Authorized by Health Net Pharmacy Services |
- Authorized by Health Net Pharmacy Services
- Coram is Health Net's preferred infusion provider
Outpatient Pharmaceuticals (Submitted Under Medical Benefit) | |
|---|---|
DRUG/THERAPY CLASS | |
Alpha-1 proteinase inhibitors | Examples include:
|
Denosumab agents | Examples include:
|
Eculizumab agents | Examples include:
|
Exon-skipping therapies | Examples include:
|
Gene therapy, includes CAR-T therapy | Examples include:
*CAR-T therapy |
GnRH agonists | Examples include:
|
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) agents | Examples include:
|
Intravenous (IV) iron agents | Examples include:
|
Immune globulin agents | Examples include:
|
Lysosomal storage disorders | Examples include:
|
PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors | Examples include:
|
Pemetrexed agents | Examples include:
|
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) agents | Examples include:
|
Ranibizumab agents | Examples include:
|
Ustekinumab agents | Examples include:
|
Viscosupplementation agents | Examples include:
|
- The following medications require prior authorization from the Health Net Pharmacy Services
For the reference product, all generics or biosimilar drugs will require a prior authorization
Outpatient Pharmaceuticals (Submitted Under Medical Benefit) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Abrilada™ Actemra® Adakveo® Adcetris® Adzynma™ Akynzeo® Aliqopa™ Amtagvi™ Amvuttra® Anktiva® Aphexda® Arzerra® Asparlas™ Azedra® Beleodaq® Benlysta® Beovu® Besponsa® Blincyto® Botox® Briumvi® Cablivi® Ceprotin® (ages 0–20 only) Cimzia® Cinqair® Columvi™ Cortrophin® Cosela™ Cosentyx® Crysvita® Cyramza® Danyelza® Darzalex®/Darzalex Faspro Daxxify® DDAVP® injectable (ages 0–20 only) Dupixent® Durysta™ | Dysport® Elahere™ Elrexfio™ Elzonris® Empaveli™ Empliciti® Enjaymo™ Entyvio™ Epkinly™ Erbitux® Erwinaze® (ages 0–20 only) Evenity® Evkeeza™ Eylea®/Eylea HD Fasenra™ Faslodex® Folotyn® Fyarro™ Gamifant® Gazyva® Givlaari H.P. Acthar® Gel Halaven® Hepzato® iDose® TR (implant) Ilaris® Ilumya® Iluvien® Imdelltra™ Imjudo® Izervay™ Jelmyto™ Jesduvroq™ Jevtana® Ketalar® Kimmtrak® Kisunla® Krystexxa® Kyprolis® Lemtrada® Leqembi™ | Leqvio® Leukine® Levoleucovorin (Fusilev®, Khapzory™) Lumoxiti® Lunsumio™ Lutathera® Lymphir™ Macugen® Margenza™ Marqibo® Monjuvi® Mozobil® Mylotarg™ Myobloc® Myozyme® Niktimvo™ Novantrone® Nplate® Nucala Nulibry™ Ocrevus™ Ohtuvaryre™ Omvoh™ Oncaspar® Onpattro™ Orencia® Oxlumo™ Ozurdex® Padcev® Panhematin® Parsabiv® Pepaxto® Perjeta® Phesgo® PiaSky® Polivy™ Poteligeo® Prevymis™ | Provenge® Qalsody™ Radicava™ Radiesse® Reblozyl® Rebyota™ Retisert® Revcovi™ Rybrevant™ Rylaze™ Ryplazim® Rystiggo® Rytelo® Sandostatin® LAR kit Saphnelo™ Sarclisa® Scenesse® Sculptra® Signifor® LAR Simponi Aria® Sinuva® Skyrizi® Somatuline® Depot Sotradecol® Spevigo® Spinraza™ SpravatoTM Sustol® Syfovre™ Synagis® Synribo® Talvey™ Tecvayli™ Tepezza® Testopel® Tezspire® Tivdak™ | Tofidence™ Tremfya® Trodelvy® Tyenne® Tyruko® Tysabri® Tzield™ Ultomiris™ Unituxin® Uplizna® Vabysmo® Valstar® Vectibix® Velcade® (ages 0–20 only) Veopoz™ Vidaza® Viltepso® Visudyne® Vyepti™ Vyjuvek® Vyvgart® Vyvgart Hytrulo Vyxeos (ages 0-20 only) Xeomin® Xiaflex® Xipere® Xolair® Yervoy® Yutiq™ Zaltrap® Zemdri™ Zepzelca™ Ziihera® Zilretta™ Zinplava™ Zulresso™ Zynlonta® |
- Biosimilars require prior authorization
- Preferred biosimilars are required in lieu of branded drugs
- Authorized by Health Net Pharmacy Services
- Must try preferred products prior to non preferred approval. Please refer to the drug specific policy for complete list of preferred products
OUTPATIENT PHARMACEUTICALS - BIOSIMILARS | |
|---|---|
NON-PREFERRED BIOSIMILARS | PREFERRED BIOSIMILARS |
Bevacizumab agents – Alymsys®, Avastin®, Vegzelma® (no longer requires PA for ophthalmologists) | Mvasi®, ZirabevTM (no PA required for ophthalmologists) |
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) –Aranesp®, Epogen®, Mircera®, Procrit® | RetacritTM (PA not required for Retacrit when administered/provided under the medical benefit) |
Filgrastim agents – Granix®, Neupogen®, NypoziTM, Releuko® |
|
Infliximab agents – Remicade® | Avsola®, Inflectra®, Renflexis® |
Pegfilgrastim agents – Fulphila®, Fylnetra®, Neulasta®, Neulasta OnPro®, RolvedonTM, Ryzneuta™, Stimufend®, Ziextenzo® | Nyvepria®, Udenyca®, Udenyca Onbody |
Rituximab agents – Riabni®, Rituxan®, Rituxan HycelaTM | Ruxience®, Truxima® (no PA required for hematology/oncology indications) |
Trastuzumab agents – Enhertu®, Herceptin®, Herceptin HylectaTM, HercessiTM, Herzuma®, Kadcyla®, Ontruzant® | Kanjinti®, Ogivri®, TrazimeraTM |
Non-Benefit Services Requiring Authorization
Non-Benefit Services | Adult Members Ages 21 and over | Pediatric Members Under Age 21 |
|---|---|---|
Community Supports
Refer to CalAIM Resources for Providers | X | X |
Limitations and exclusions, and Prior Authorization Exceptions
Listed below are PA limitations and exclusions, in addition to sensitive, confidential and other services that do not require PA for adult or pediatric Medi-Cal members.
Limitations and exclusions, and prior authorization exceptions | Adult Members Ages 21 and over | Pediatric Members Under Age 21 |
|---|---|---|
Authorization for carve-out services not covered by Health Net or CalViva Health, such as CCS-eligible conditions, requires PA from the local CCS office. | X | |
Routine laboratory and radiology services must be performed at a Health Net or CalViva Health participating facility. | X | X |
Specialty mental health services and select substance use disorder services are covered by the county mental health program. If coordination assistance with the county mental health program is needed, contact Medi-Cal Member Services. | X | X |
Emergency room (ER) services after stabilization of an emergency medical condition or when the medical screening exam (MSE) does not demonstrate an emergency medical condition are subject to review by Health Net and may not be paid. | X | X |
Cosmetic surgery is not a benefit of the Medi-Cal program. Cosmetic surgery requests are reviewed for possible reconstructive benefits, as well as medical necessity, using the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) definition of cosmetic surgery. | X | X |
Authorizations for services commonly included in the local educational agency (LEA) carve-out are referred to the local school district. These include speech therapy, occupational therapy and audiology services for children ages three and over, and psychological testing for attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). | X | |
A member or provider is not required to obtain prior authorization for NEMT services if the member is being transferred from an emergency room to an inpatient setting, or from an acute care hospital, immediately following an inpatient stay at the acute level of care, to a skilled nursing facility, an intermediate care facility or imbedded psychiatric units, free standing psychiatric inpatient hospitals, psychiatric health facilities, or any other appropriate inpatient acute psychiatric facilities. | X | X |
Referral or PA is not required for the following sensitive services, and the services may be obtained from any qualified in-network or out-of-network provider:
| X | X |
Referral or PA is not required for Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program (CPSP) services. Services may be obtained from any participating CPSP providers. Refer to the CPSP website for more information about locating a CPSP provider. | X | X |
Other services not requiring PA:
| X | X |