MEDI-CAL RX
Since January 1, 2022, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) manages your pharmacy benefit through the state-run program called Medi-Cal Rx.
This means that you get most of your Medi-Cal-covered prescriptions through Medi-Cal Rx when you get them from a pharmacy.
Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card (BIC)
You need to show your Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card (BIC) when you go to the pharmacy. The pharmacy may use your BIC to look up your information and give you your medications.
Benefits Identification Card sample, front
Benefits Identification Card sample, back
Blue Shield Promise member ID card
You will need to show your Blue Shield Promise member ID card when you go to your doctor or hospital.
Always carry both your Blue Shield Promise ID member card and your BIC with you.
Los Angeles County member ID card sample, front
Los Angeles County member ID card sample, back
San Diego County member ID card sample, front
San Diego County member ID card sample, back
Need help with Medi-Cal Rx?
If you have questions about Medi-Cal Rx, call the Medi-Cal Rx Customer Care Center at (800) 977-2273, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Use 711 for TTY, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. They can also help you with pharmacy complaints, appeals, and grievances.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs):
You need to show your Medi-Cal BIC when you go to the pharmacy. The pharmacy may use your BIC to look up your information and give you your medications.
If you do not have a BIC, or if it is lost or stolen, you may ask for a replacement from:
Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services Customer Service Center: (866) 613-3777
San Diego County Department of Health & Human Services Agency Customer Service Center: (866) 262-9881
You can use the Find a Medi-Cal Rx Pharmacy Locator tool at Medi-CalRx.dhcs.ca.gov.
You can also call Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service Center (CSC) at (800) 977-2273, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Use 711 for TTY, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For complaints, appeals, and grievances about your pharmacy benefits, please call:
- Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service Center at (800) 977-2273, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Use 711 for TTY, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Yes, you can. Do NOT include personal information in your first email. Tell them you are writing about Medi-Cal Rx. DHCS staff will reply from a secure email address. If they need your personal information, they will ask for it then.
Email your questions, complaints, appeals, and grievances to DHCS at RxCarveOut@dhcs.ca.gov.
Physician-administered drugs (or PADs) are drugs administered (given to you) by a medical healthcare provider, like a doctor or nurse. This may happen at a doctor’s office or infusion center, or at home with a home infusion provider.
Your physician-administered drugs (PADs) are covered by Blue Shield Promise. These drugs are not covered by your pharmacy benefit.
No, you do not have to do anything special to get your physician-administered drugs (PADs). Because PADs are given to you by your medical healthcare provider when needed, you do not have to go to a pharmacy or order these drugs by mail.
Yes. DHCS and Blue Shield Promise have informed providers about PADs and how they should bill for them.
Before you start getting physician-administered drugs, you may need permission from Blue Shield Promise. Your doctor will ask for you. This is called asking for prior authorization (or pre-approval). It is the way that Blue Shield Promise makes sure this care is medically necessary (or needed for you). You do not need to submit anything.
For more information, please visit:
- Blue Shield Promise physician-administered drugs (PAD) flyer (PDF, 78 KB)
- Medi-Cal Rx member and provider website: Medi-CalRx.dhcs.ca.gov
- Medi-Cal Rx transition page on the DHCS website