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Initial Health Appointment Billing Code List

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Initial Health Assessment

Initial Health Assessments (IHAs) are comprehensive visits for newly enrolled Medi-Cal members. PCPs must complete an IHA for all newly linked members within 120 days of enrollment.

The Alliance requires PCPs to use specific IHA billing codes. See the Initial Health Assessment Billing Code List for more information. For more detail on IHA requirements, see the DHCS MMCD Policy Letter No. 08-003 and DHCS MMCD Policy Letter 99-07.

There is no specific assessment tool for the IHA. However, the initial assessment must include the appropriate Staying Healthy Assessment for the member’s age group (see below).

Where to get the flu shot

The Alliance urges members to contact their doctor first to schedule a flu shot.

If your doctor does not have the flu shot available, you can contact your local public health department. They will have information on public health department clinics and health centers that provide the flu shot. Please click on the link below for more information about your local public health department.

Click here for: Merced County

Note: This website is available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. Please select your language in the box at the bottom right.

Click here for: Monterey County

Note: This website is available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. Please select your language in the box at the top right.

Click here for: Santa Cruz County

Note: This website is only available in English and Spanish. Please check your language in the box at the top right.

Alliance members that are 19 years and older, also have the choice of going to a pharmacy to get the flu shot. Members under the age of 19 must receive the flu shot from their doctor’s office.

What’s the difference between COVID-19 and the flu?

COVID-19 and the flu are both a respiratory illness that can be spread, but they are each caused by a different virus. Although they can have similar symptoms, there are some differences:

Symptoms for COVID-19 can take longer to appear than for the flu.
People with COVID-19 may spread the virus for a longer period of time than those with the flu.
You can have COVID-19 and the flu at the same time.

One big difference is that there is a safe and effective vaccine for the flu: the flu shot. As of right now, there is no COVID-19 vaccine. If you get sick, having the flu shot can help your doctor decide if you have COVID-19 or the flu. This will help them know how to best take care of you.