How to enroll in Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal

You can apply for the Medi-Cal program any time during the year.

Before you can enroll with Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal, you must first apply to the Medi-Cal program by following the steps below.

Step 1 – Applying for benefits
There are four ways to apply for Medi-Cal: 

1. Online: On Covered California’s or your local county social service office website
2. Over the phone: By calling a local county social service office*
3. By mail: Either to Covered California or your local county social service office*
4. In-person: At your local county human services office*

* Find your local county human services office information below, or search for your local county social service information online.

Getting help

Health Care Options (HCO) is a California program that helps people receiving Medi-Cal understand their benefits and how to enroll in a health plan. People needing more help or who have questions can call Health Care Options:
Phone: (800) 430-4263 [TTY: (800) 430-7077], 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

If you're interested in joining Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal, our enrollment team is here to help you through the enrollment process. This includes finding a doctor. We will answer any of your questions.
Phone: (866) 820-6009 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
 

Step 2 – After you apply

After finishing your application, if you qualify, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will mail you a Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card (BIC). You can use your BIC to get services under fee-for-service (also called regular Medi-Cal). You can do this until you are enrolled in a health plan.
 

Step 3a – Completing your Medi-Cal Choice form by mail

Health Care Options (HCO) will also mail you an enrollment packet that includes a Medi-Cal Managed Care Choice Enrollment Form. You will need to:

1. Choose a health plan (all options are listed on the form)  
2. Choose a doctor. To find a Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan doctor you want, you can:
   • Search the provider directory online
   • Call us at (866) 820-6009 (TTY: 711) 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday  
3. Write the health plan's name, doctor/clinic code*, also known as Primary Care Physician ID), and your ID number (if not already printed) on the HCO form
   • *If the doctor/clinic’s code is too long, continue to write outside of the designated boxes
4. Mail the Medi-Cal Choice form back in the envelope provided in your enrollment packet.* You may also do this online.

Step 3b – Completing your Medi-Cal Choice form online

1. Go to Health Care Options website
2. Enter your Last Name, Date of Birth and Client Identification Number (CIN) or your Social Security Number
3. Choose a health plan
   • Remember in Los Angeles County you must first select L.A. Care Health Plan. Once you continue to the next page, Blue Shield Promise will appear as a choice.
4. Choose a doctor
5. Submit

Note: If you do not tell Health Care Options of your choices within 30 days, they will choose a health plan and doctor for you. This is called "automatic assignment." You can change your health plan or doctor assignment at any time. 

Helpful tips

You can change your primary care physician (PCP), medical group, and/or health plan at any time.

To change your PCP and/or medical group, call us:
 Los Angeles phone: (800) 605-2556 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday
 San Diego phone: (855) 699-5557 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday

To change your health plan, call Health Care Options:
 Phone: (800) 430-4263 [TTY: (800) 430-7077], 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
 

Want to transfer to another health plan?

If you are already enrolled in a Medi-Cal Plan you can transfer to Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal at any time.

There are four ways you can change your Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan:

1. Online at Health Care Options Enrollment Portal
   
   • Remember in Los Angeles County you must first select L.A. Care Health Plan. Once you continue to the next page, Blue Shield Promise will appear as a choice. 
2. Call us at (866) 820-6009 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday
3.  Call Health Care Options* at (800) 430-4263 (TTY: [800) 430-7077], 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays
4.  Mail a completed Medi-Cal Choice Form to Health Care Options* (You can request a choice form from Health Care Options, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, or download the form.)

*L.A. Care Health Plan members: If you are an L.A. Care member or an L.A. Care Plan Partner member (Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan), and would like to transfer from one L.A. Care Plan to another, you should call L.A. Care Health Plan’s Member Services Department at (888) 452-2273 (TTY: 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and request a plan partner transfer.