When you need health care:
- Call your PCP
- Have your L.A. Care ID number ready on the call
- Leave a message with your name and phone number if the office is closed
- Take your Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card (BIC) and L.A. Care ID card to your appointment
- Ask for transportation to your appointment, if needed
- Ask for needed language assistance or interpretation services before your appointment to have the services at the time of your visit
- Be on time for your appointment, arriving a few minutes early to sign in, fill out forms and answer any questions your PCP may have
- Call right away if you cannot keep your appointment or will be late
- Have your questions and medication information ready
If you have an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
If you need help deciding how urgently you need care and your PCP is not available to speak with you, call the Nurse Advice Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays at 1-800-249-3619 (TTY 711).
Getting to your appointment
If you don’t have a way to get to and from your appointments for covered services, L.A. Care can help arrange transportation for you. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for either Medical Transportation or for Non-Medical Transportation. These transportation services are not for emergencies and may be available at no cost to you.
If you are having an emergency, call 911.
Transportation is available for services and appointments not related to emergency care. They may be available at no cost to you. To learn more, read the Transportation benefits for situations that are not emergencies page.
Canceling and rescheduling
If you can’t get to your appointment, call your provider’s office right away.
Most doctors ask you to call 24 hours (1 business day) before your appointment if you have to cancel.
If you miss repeated appointments your doctor might stop providing care to you and you will have to find a new doctor.