Introduction: This guide is made to help you find a doctor that prescribes Suboxone that accepts Medi-Cal BCBS. BCBS stands for Blue Cross Blue Shield. Medi-Cal is the Medicaid Program in California. There are different plans in Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal BCBS is one of those plans. If you have a doctor that accepts Medi-Cal/BCBS, it will be cheaper than a cash doctor. Follow the instructions below to find one.
Step 1: Go to BCBS.COM
Go to BCBS.COM and click Find a Doctor.
Click In the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands
Once you click In the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, it will look like this. Click Choose a location and plan.
Type your zip code. Then, click on your town from the menu. Then click Yes, this is correct.
Take out your Insurance Card. It will look kinda like the card in the picture. Find your Member ID. Type the three letters into the box. Then hit the gray Continue box.
Step 3: Search for A Suboxone Doctor
Click the Search all button.
To find a Suboxone Doctor, type in Opioid MAT into the search box. Then, select Opioid Addiction – in Doctors by specialty.
A list of doctors will show up. On the side, click the Accepting New Patients button (1). The page will refresh. After, select Physicians (2). You can also select Physicians Assistants & Nursing Providers because they can also prescribe. This is optional.
A list of 10 doctors will show up. If you need to see more doctors, click the next page at the bottom. Sometimes, the information on this page is incorrect or outdated. If the phone number does not work, google the doctor’s name and call that number.
Step 4: Call the Office and Ask These Questions
Now, you will see all the Suboxone Doctors that accept your insurance and are accepting new patients. This is not always correct. You need to call the office and ask these questions.
- Are you accepting Suboxone patients?
- Do you accept my insurance (Medi-Cal BCBS) for Suboxone?
- What are the requirements to get Suboxone?
Sometimes you need to call many doctors before you find one that accepts Medi-Cal BCBS for Suboxone.
Step 5: Call Medi-Cal BCBS Before Your Visit
Once you call a doctor and find one that accepts your insurance and prescribes Suboxone, make sure to call Medi-Cal BCBS to make sure your visit is covered. You can find the phone number on the back of your insurance card. Here are some insurance terms you may want to know:
Key Terms:
Copay – The amount you pay for your visit
PCP – PCP stands for Primary Care Provider. This is like your “normal” doctor. Your PCP will help you plan annual check ups and medical tests to stay healthy. If you need to see a specialist like a psychiatrist or Suboxone Doctor, you may need to get permission from them called a referral.
Specialist – A doctor who has a specific field. A PCP can manage many illnesses, but sometimes you need to see a specialist because you need an expert. You’ll need to see a specialist for something like opioid addiction.
Referral – Sometimes, insurance plans require you get permission from your PCP before you can see a specialist. If you don’t get a referral, your insurance company may not pay for the visit, and you can get a big bill. Call the phone number on the back of your insurance card to find out if you need to get a referral before seeing a psychiatrist or Suboxone Doctor.
Questions to Ask Medi-Cal BCBS:
- How much will a visit with Dr. _______________ (include the doctor/facility’s name) cost?
- Is there anything I need to do before my visit to avoid a large bill?
- Do I have a PCP?
- Do I need to get a referral from my Primary Care Provider (PCP) before? If so, how do I obtain one?
- Is there anything else I should know before my visit?
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS SIMPLY A GUIDE. EVERY PLAN HAS DIFFERENT BENEFITS, REFERRAL REQUIREMENTS, AND PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS. MAKE SURE TO CALL THE BCBS PHONE NUMBER BEFORE YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR. ASK WHAT STEPS YOU NEED TO TAKE BEFORE YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR SO YOUR APPOINTMENT IS COVERED. WE DO NOT ACCEPT ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY CONSEQUENCES TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
