Behavioral health treatment for Medi-Cal members under the age of 21
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan covers Behavioral Health Treatment (BHT), including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, for Medi-Cal beneficiaries under the age of 21. Blue Shield Promise manages this benefit directly.
Referrals for BHT or ABA treatment for a member should not be sent to the member's medical group or IPA. A primary care physician (PCP) or healthcare provider will follow the screening process below.
If a provider believes the member may have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), based on screening outcomes, the provider should submit a diagnostic evaluation referral for ASD to Blue Shield Promise. If a provider believes a member is likely to benefit from BHT or ABA services, the provider can submit a referral for treatment to Blue Shield Promise.
A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is not required for the member to be eligible for BHT or ABA treatment. Please refer to All Plan Letter (APL) 23-010 from Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) for more information.
Steps for referral and evaluation:
Step 1 – Screening
The PCP or healthcare provider completes Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT), which should include a validated screening tool. The provider then makes a referral to Blue Shield Promise, as appropriate.
Step 2 – Diagnostic evaluation for autism spectrum disorder OR referral for BHT or ABA treatment
- If your screening leads you to believe that the member may have autism spectrum disorder, the Behavioral Health Treatment team at Blue Shield Promise will provide authorization for a diagnostic evaluation with a licensed clinical psychologist.
- If your screening leads you to believe the member is likely to benefit from behavioral health treatment such as ABA, please submit a referral form to the Behavioral Health Treatment team at Blue Shield Promise.
The questions and answers below will help guide you through helping the member to use this benefit.
How can a provider refer a patient for a diagnostic evaluation for autism or Behavioral Health Treatment such as ABA?
Providers should complete a valid screening using one of the suggested tools that indicates the member might need BHT or ABA services.
You can download, complete, and fax an Applied Behavioral Analysis Referral Form (PDF, 376 KB) for specialty referral to Blue Shield Promise at (844) 283-3298
What happens after the diagnostic evaluation?
After the diagnostic evaluation, if the licensed psychologist will include a recommendation for BHT or ABA in the evaluation, the member's referral will be for a functional assessment to determine which level of treatment would be therapeutic, as described in APL 23-010.
Blue Shield Promise will then make the appropriate referral and provide authorization to obtain those services.
Where can I get more information?
You can call the Blue Shield Promise Behavioral Health Treatment Department:
Phone: (888) 297-1325, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Reference materials
DHCS' Behavioral Health Treatment website
Medi-Cal for Kids and Teens provider training
Autism spectrum disorder screening tools
Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT)
CDC Development Screening Tools
Blue Shield Promise Referral Steps and Options (PDF, 117 KB)
Referral forms
Behavioral Health Treatment Authorization Request form (PDF, 231 KB)
Applied Behavioral Analysis Referral form (PDF, 376 KB)
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