How do i contact anthem blue cross california provider number

Primary care provider roles and responsibilities

The PCP’s role is to provide members with a medical home, the member’s first stop in the health care process and a centralized hub for a wide variety of ongoing health care needs. 

The PCP’s role is to:

  • Help members schedule appointments with other providers and health education programs.
  • Track and document appointments, clinical findings, treatment plans and care received by members referred to specialists or other health care providers to ensure continuity of care.
  • Screen and evaluate procedures for detection and treatment of or referral for any known or suspected behavioral health problems and disorders.
  • Refer members to specialists or specialty care, behavioral health services, health education classes and community resource agencies, when appropriate.
  • Coordinate with the Woman, Infants and Children (WIC) program to provide medical information necessary for WIC eligibility determinations such as height, weight, hematocrit or hemoglobin.
  • Coordinate with the local tuberculosis (TB) control program to ensure that all members with confirmed or suspected TB have a contact investigation and receive Directly Observed Therapy (DOT).
  • Refer members to specialists or specialty care, behavioral health services, health education classes and community resource agencies including the California Department of Developmental Services regional centers, which are responsible for the Early Start Program (ESP) for children up to 3 years of age with developmental disabilities. Community resources also include the Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP), and California Children's Services (CCS).

How to verify a member has designated you as their primary care provider

Members enrolled in Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem) may select any contracted PCP as their primary physician as long as that PCP is taking new patients. We furnish each PCP with a current list of assigned members and from time to time provide medical information about our members’ potential health care needs. In this way, providers can more effectively provide care and coordinate services.

Providers can verify that a member is assigned to them any time via Availity. Log in to the Provider Online Reporting tool to view the monthly PCP rosters. For other ways to get in touch regarding PCP verification, please refer to your provider manual or visit the Contact Us page.

Staying Healthy Assessment — For Medi-Cal Managed Care (Medi-Cal) only

The Staying Healthy Assessment (SHA) is the California Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS’s) Individual Health Education Behavior Assessment (IHEBA). Medi-Cal providers are required to use and administer the SHA to all members enrolled in Medi-Cal as part of the Initial Health Assessment (IHA) and periodically re-administer it according to contract requirements.

Note: This requirement does not apply to members enrolled in Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP). 

PCP responsibilities for the SHA include:

  • Reviewing the completed SHA with the patient.
  • Exploring patient responses to verify risk factors and determining the extent to which they might harm the patient’s health.
  • Based upon a patient’s behavioral risks and willingness to make lifestyle changes, PCPs should provide tailored health education counseling, intervention, referral and follow-up.
  • The PCP must document, initial and date all health education interventions and referrals using the intervention codes listed on the bottom of each SHA tool.

Newly added PCP responsibilities for SHA include:

  • Receive training on implementing and administering the new SHA
  • Attest to receiving training on the implementation, administration and state regulations regarding the use of the new SHA assessment forms
  • Complete the DHCS-approved provider presentation training online

To obtain SHA forms

The SHA forms in all the age categories and most Medi-Cal threshold languages are posted on the DHCS SHA webpage.

Tobacco Cessation Requirements for Medi-Cal providers

Anthem is responsible for ensuring PCPs and their qualified staff implement the interventions outlined in MMCD Policy Letter 16-014. This includes identifying all members, initially and annually, of any age who use tobacco products or are exposed to tobacco smoke and document this information in the member’s medical record. This can be accomplished by using the SHA or an equivalent, approved assessment. Providers must ask tobacco users about their tobacco status at every visit and document their responses in their medical record.

  • Coding Guide for Tobacco Use

Provider tools & resources

    • Log in to Availity
    • Learn about Availity
    • Prior Authorization Lookup Tool
    • Prior Authorization Requirements
    • Claims Overview
    • Reimbursement Policies
    • Provider Manuals, Policies & Guidelines
    • Referrals
    • Provider Training Academy
    • Forms
    • Pharmacy Information
    • Georgia Families 360°℠

    Interested in becoming a provider in the Amerigroup network?

    We look forward to working with you to provide quality services to our members.

    Is Blue California the same as Anthem Blue Cross?

    In California Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California.

    Is Blue Shield of California part of Anthem?

    In California, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield are actually different companies and are competitors. In most other states, they are the same company and formed an association, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Anthem Blue Cross is a for profit company in California, and Blue Shield is a non-profit.

    How do I contact Blue Shield of California?

    Phone: (800) 541-6652, TTY 711, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Call for questions about: Member eligibility.

    Is Anthem Part of Medi

    Anthem serves Medi-Cal recipients in these counties: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Inyo, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Sierra, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Tuolumne and Yuba.

    What is the fax number for Anthem Blue Cross of California?

    Phone: Call 1‑888‑831‑2246, option 3 and ask for a form to be faxed to you. Fax: Send your request to: 1-800-754-4708. Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California.

    How do I become a Blue Cross provider in California?

    Practitioners must submit a completed, signed and dated California Participating Practitioner Application, along with other supporting documents identified on the Blue Shield Credentialing Checklist included with the application.