Medi-Cal Prescriptions
Your prescription drugs are covered by Medi-Cal Rx, not the Alliance. Medi-Cal Rx is the program that manages prescriptions for all Medi-Cal members in California.
For most Medi-Cal members, there is no cost for prescriptions.
Your doctor knows which medications are approved by Medi-Cal Rx, which need prior approval and how to get approval. The list of Medi-Cal Rx covered medications is called the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List. Sometimes, a drug is needed and is not on the Contract Drugs List. These drugs will need to be approved before they can be filled at the pharmacy. Medi-Cal Rx will review these requests. If you have questions about whether your medications are covered, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. If your doctor or pharmacist cannot answer your questions, call Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service at 800-977-2273 or visit the Medi-Cal Rx website.
Find a pharmacy
If you are filling or refilling a prescription, you must get your prescribed drugs from a pharmacy that works with Medi-Cal Rx. You can find a list of pharmacies that work with Medi-Cal Rx or call Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service at 800-977-2273.
Filling your prescription
Always bring these three things with you when you go to the pharmacy:
- Your Alliance ID card.
- Your Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card (BIC).
- Any other health insurance cards.
The pharmacy will use the cards to look up your information and give you your medications. If you get a bill for prescriptions, call Medi-Cal Rx at 800-977-2273 or visit the Medi-Cal Rx website.
You should have received your BIC when you first became eligible for Medi-Cal benefits. There are two (2) different types of the BIC and either one will work. Below are samples to show you what your BIC will look like:
| Sample 1: | Sample 2: |
|---|---|
 |
 |
If you did not receive your BIC or it is lost or stolen, you may ask for a replacement BIC. Please contact your local county Medi-Cal office. Please call the number for your county below:
- Mariposa County: 209-966-2000 or 800-549-6741
- Merced County: 209-385-3000
- Monterey County: 877-410-8823
- San Benito County: 831-636-4180
- Santa Cruz County: 888-421-8080
If a pharmacist at an outpatient pharmacy gives you an emergency supply of a medication, that emergency supply will be covered by Medi-Cal Rx. Have the pharmacy call Medi-Cal Rx at 800-977-2273 if they need help giving you an emergency medication supply.
If you are outside of California and have an emergency need to fill outpatient prescription drugs, then please have the pharmacy call Medi-Cal Rx at 800-977-2273 for help.
If you have questions about your prescription drugs or pharmacy benefits, contact the Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service Center.
Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service Center
Phone: 800-977-2273, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
TTY: Dial 711, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Members can submit a complaint in writing by filling out a Medi-Cal Rx Complaint Form.
- Members can also contact the Office of the Ombudsman at the Department of Health Care Services, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., not including holidays.
- By phone: 888-452-8609.
- By email: [email protected].
If you choose to email your complaint, you should know that confidentiality is not guaranteed. Limit how much protected health information (PHI) you share about yourself. PHI includes details from your medical records, such as your medical conditions, medications and other information.
For more information about Medi-Cal Rx and your benefits, click on the links below:
Contact Member Services
Resources
Latest News
