Medi-Cal Members: Starting January 1, 2022, Medi-Cal Pharmacy Benefits will be administered through the fee-for-service delivery system Medi-Cal Rx. Please visit the DHCS Medi-Cal Rx website for more information.
Special Notice: L.A. Care is encouraging members to use the mail order option to fill prescriptions at Ralphs Pharmacy.
There is more information in the blue box below. We also have frequently asked questions about this service.
Please look at the Ralphs Pharmacy Mail Order FAQ for your specific plan:
- L.A. Care Covered and L.A. Care Covered Direct Member FAQs
- L.A. Care Medicare Plus Member FAQs
- PASC-SEIU Plan Member FAQs
An online option to order prescriptions
An Important Pharmacy Change for Members
L.A. Care is providing members with mail order services through Ralphs pharmacy. This is a free service to members.
Members can get a 90-day supply (or 100-day supply for L.A. Care Medicare Plus members only) of maintenance medications through the mail-order pharmacy service or at a participating retail pharmacy location. Maintenance medications are drugs that may need to be taken for a long-term health condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. To sign up or log-in to your account to manage prescriptions, order refills and review your prescription status, access Ralphs Pharmacy.
If the medication(s) has no refill(s) remaining, prescribers will need to provide a new prescription. If you prefer to mail in your prescription request to Ralphs, you can print out the form below.
L.A. Care uses a list of covered drugs called a formulary. Drugs on the list have been chosen for their safety and effectiveness. Your doctor should order drugs from this approved list.
Each plan has its own formulary. You can check if your medication is covered by browsing the formulary document for your health plan listed here. L.A. Care can also provide a copy of the formulary in your preferred language, large print, audio, or alternate format.
L.A. Care Medi-Cal and Plan Partner Drug Coverage
Starting January 1, 2022 Medi-Cal Pharmacy Benefits will be administered through the fee-for-service delivery system Medi-Cal Rx. If you receive Medi-Cal health coverage through L.A. Care or a Plan Partner – Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, or Kaiser Permanente – Please visit the DHCS Medi-Cal Rx website for more information.
Restrictions to Coverage
Restrictions to coverage apply to certain prescription drugs. The Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee develops restrictions to help our members use drugs in the most safe and effective ways. Some restrictions impact overall drug cost, which keeps our members' drug coverage more affordable. Other restrictions are designed to promote safe use of particular agents, such as opioids.
Formulary Updates – New drug additions and deletions
L.A. Care formularies are continually updated to provide safe, appropriate, and cost-effective drug therapies. These changes are listed in the documents below.
September 2023 Formulary Updates
February 2023 Formulary Updates
January 2023 Formulary Updates
January - December 2022 Formulary Updates
Prior Authorizations and Coverage Exceptions
One type of restriction is called a Prior Authorization (PA). Certain formulary medications require a written Prior Authorization (PA) request to be submitted by the prescribing practitioner for our L.A. Care members. Prior Authorizations are reviewed based on the individual member's need. Medications that are non-formulary require a written drug exception request, similar to a PA, to be submitted by the prescribing practitioner.
Policies regarding coverage exceptions vary by plan. Please refer to your member handbook for specific coverage exception information.
Medications that have a step therapy requirement will require you to try medications in a certain order. If your practitioner feels that you need to use a Step Therapy drug without first trying a first step drug, he or she can submit a Prior Authorization Form with documentation of the medical need.
Medications that have a designated quantity limit, require that only the specified maximum amount of medication be filled during a certain period of time. If your practitioner feels that your medical condition requires a quantity of medication exceeding the specified limit, he or she can submit a Prior Authorization Form, along with documentation of medical need.
If you need assistance with the Prior Authorization Request process, please contact L.A. Care Member Services, 1-888-839-9909 (TTY/TDD) 711.
Member cost share varies by plan. Please refer to your member handbook for specific cost share information.