New Member Basics

What is Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP)? 
Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP) is your health plan.  CCHP uses a network of providers to cover most medical services you need. 

What is Medi-Cal?
Medi-Cal is health care coverage (health insurance) for Californians who meet the income requirements.  If you have Medi-Cal through CCHP, there is no cost to the covered medical services.

Who is your Primary Care Provider (PCP)? 

• Your PCP is the first person you go to for most of your health care. 
• Your PCP will coordinate your care and send you to specialists or other providers if needed.
• You can find your assigned PCP in the welcome letter that was mailed to you, on MyChart, or by calling CCHP Member Services at 1-877-661-6230, Option 2 (TTY 711).

How do you change your PCP? 

• You can go online to request a PCP in CCHP's network or  
• Call CCHP Member Services at 1-877-661-6230 (Option 2) (TTY 711)
• If the PCP you want is not in CCHP's network, call Member Services to request "Continuity of Care."

What providers can you go to? 
If you only have CCHP and no other health insurance:

You will need to get most of your care from doctors, clinics, and hospitals in your CCHP provider network.  They are listed in your plan's Provider Directory below. 

• CCHP Medi-Cal and County Plan B members can see providers in the Regional Medical Center (RMC) Network or the Community Provider Network (CPN).
• County Plan A, County Plan A2, and IHSS Plan A2 are mostly required to see providers in the Regional Medical Center (RMC) network.

If you have Medicare or other primary insurance as well as:

CCHP Medi-Cal:

• You can continue to see the doctors and providers under your other insurance. 
• You do not need approval from CCHP for services covered under your other insurance. 

CCHP County Employee Plan A, Plan B, or Plan A2:

• The doctors or providers you are allowed to see depends on a variety of factors, such as whether you are an active employee vs. a retiree, or a primary subscriber vs. dependent.  Please contact CCHP Member Services if you have questions.

CCHP IHSS Plan A2

• CCHP Plan A2 is your primary plan.  You will need to follow CCHP rules.  You will need to see providers in CCHP's Regional Medical Center network for most of your care.  Please contact CCHP Member Services if you have questions.

How do you get medical care? 

• Call or make an appointment with your PCP.  Your PCP will coordinate your care and send you to most specialists you need.
• There are some specialty services where you can self-refer.  
• If you need urgent care, and your PCP is not available, you can go to an urgent care clinic when outside the area or call the CCHP Advice Nurse.  The Advice Nurse hotline is available 24 / 7 every day of the year:  1-877-661-6230 (Option 1) (TTY 711). 
• In an emergency, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. 
• If you have Medi-Cal and need sensitive services (e.g., sexual health services, mental health for minors) or OB/GYN services, you can go to any Medi-Cal provider able to perform those services without CCHP approval. 

How do you get mental or behavioral health care?

For CCHP Medi-Cal Members:

Make an appointment directly with a CCHP Medi-Cal mental health or behavioral health provider.  

You can find a provider by:

• Calling the 24/7 ACCESS line at 1-877-661-6230 (Option 4) (TTY 711)
• Asking your PCP for a referral
• Searching the CCHP Medi-Cal provider directory

For CCHP Commercial Members:

Make an appointment directly with a CCHP mental health or behavioral health provider.  You can find a provider by:

• Calling CCHP Member Services at 1-877-661-6230 (Option 2) (TTY 711)
• Asking your PCP for a referral
• Searching your provider directory

How do you get pharmacy services? 

CCHP Medi-Cal Members:

Medi-Cal Rx covers the medicine you get from a pharmacy.  Go to medi-calrx.dhcs.ca.gov or call 1-800-977-2273 for pharmacies or for more information.

CCHP Commerical Members:

CCHP covers the drugs on our formulary.  You will need to go to a pharmacy in CCHP's network.  For information about co-payments, refer to your Member Handbook.  

How do you get dental services? 

For Medi-Cal Members:

Denti-Cal covers your dental services.  Go to smilecalifornia.org or call 1‑800‑322‑6384 for dentists or for more information.

For IHSS Plan A2 Members:

CCHP covers dental services.  See your Member Handbook for more information.

For CCHP County Plan A, Plan B, and Plan A2 Members:

Dental services are not covered under CCHP.

How do you get help or more information? 

• Call Member Services at 1-877-661-6230 (Option 2) (TTY 711). 

Member Services can help you learn about plan benefits or how to get the care you need, change your PCP, get transportation or interpreter services, file a complaint, and more.

• You can also review the following Member Materials for your plan. 
  • Member Handbook – Has information on benefits covered, using services, rights & responsibilities, and how to file a complaint 
  • Provider Directory – Lists the doctors, clinics, hospitals, or labs you can go to.  You can also use our online search tool. 
  • Formulary (for Commercial Plan members only) - Lists the drugs or medication covered

What should a new member do?

1.  Sign up for an online MyChart account at mychart.cchealth.org.
2. Show your CCHP Member ID card any time you get medical services. You should get your ID card in the mail or you can access your card on MyChart through the web or smartphone app.
3. Answer CCHP questionnaires and mail it back. This helps us get you the care you need.
4. Review your Primary Care Provider (PCP) in your welcome letter or pick a new PCP.
5. Make an appointment with your PCP within 120 days of becoming a new CCHP member. Regular check-ups help catch issues early and are important for all ages, even if you feel healthy.