Behavioral Health
Behavioral health care is now at the Alliance
As of July 1, 2025, Central California Alliance for Health is now directly managing Non-Specialty Mental Health Services (NSMHS) for our members. With this transition, providers work directly with the Alliance to deliver behavioral health care. The goal is to improve care coordination by integrating behavioral and physical health, ensuring members receive more connected and comprehensive support for their overall well-being. Learn how to become an Alliance Behavioral Health Provider.
PCPs can contact the Alliance for behavioral health screenings or assessments and Alliance member referrals. Please note that while most behavioral health services do not require a referral, there are several ways for members to get connected.
- Call the Alliance member service line Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 800-700-3874.
- Providers can call the Alliance Care Management line at 800-700-3874 x5512.
- Providers can submit a Care Management Referral Form directly through the Alliance website, via fax to 831-430-5850 or via e-mail to list CM behavioral health team at [email protected].
The Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans and the Medi-Cal Fee For Service (FFS) are responsible to provide Non-Specialty Mental Health Services (NSMHS) (previously known as mild to moderate). The Alliance provides members with non-specialty mental health services.
Alliance Primary Care Providers (PCPs) are responsible for identifying the need for behavioral health screenings and referrals.
Behavioral health services covered by the Alliance include:
- Mental health evaluation and treatment, including individual, group and family psychotherapy.
- Psychological and neuropsychological testing, when clinically indicated to evaluate a mental health condition.
- Outpatient services for the purposes of monitoring drug therapy.
- Outpatient laboratory, drugs, supplies and supplements (excluding anti-psychotic drugs, which are covered by Medi-Cal Fee-For-Service).
- Psychiatric consultation.
Acute medical detoxification, meaning treatment in an acute medical facility for a serious medical condition relating to substance withdrawal, is also available from the Alliance with prior authorization. For acute medical detoxification services, call the Alliance at 800-700-3874, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Note: Members eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal should call Medicare to access behavioral health services at 800-633-4227. If a member experiences access denials from Medicare, the member should contact the Alliance and request care management services for assistance.
Emergency and Crisis Contacts
If a member is having a psychiatric emergency and needs immediate help, call 911.
If a member needs to talk about urgent mental health concerns related to thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please refer the member to call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988. It is available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish.
Members may also contact our Nurse Advice Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at no cost to them, if they have any medical questions, want care advice or need help deciding if they need to see a provider. When calling, it is recommended to have their Alliance Member ID card with them to tell the nurse their ID number. Call 844-971-8907 (TTY: Dial 711).
Looking to support your patients with depression? Check out our:
This guide is designed to help primary care physicians and office staff identify and treat depression in patients.
Primary care provider support
Medical and Behavioral Health providers can outreach to the Behavioral Health Department directly at [email protected] if they have questions about behavioral health services or wish to consult with the Behavioral Health Medical Director directly for any questions related to psychiatric diagnosis or medication. Please allow the BH team two business days to respond.
Additional Resources to support PCPs and providers regarding Behavioral health treatment include:
Cal-MAP | A CalHOPE program powered by UCSF - The California Child and Adolescent Mental Health Access Portal (Cal-MAP) is a CalHOPE pediatric mental health care access program designed to increase timely access to mental health care for youth throughout California's communities, especially in the state’s most underserved and rural areas. Cal-MAP’s team of psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers provide no-cost consultation, education and resource navigation to California Primary Care Providers (PCPs) caring for mental and behavioral health concerns in patients ages 0-25.
Continuing Medical Education > Train New Trainers (TNT) Fellowships | UCI School of Medicine - TNT has been at the forefront of integrating mental health care into primary practice. Their program has equipped countless primary care providers with essential behavioral health skills, making a real difference in patient care.
Contact Provider Services
| General | 831-430-5504 |
| Claims Billing questions, claims status, general claims information |
831-430-5503 |
| Authorizations General authorization information or questions |
831-430-5506 |
| Authorization Status Checking the status of submitted authorizations |
831-430-5511 |
| Pharmacy Authorizations, general pharmacy information or questions |
831-430-5507 |
Provider Resources
Contact Escalation
If providers are having a difficult time connecting members to care, please contact Alliance Provider Services for support at [email protected] or 831-430-5504.
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