DHCS issued a letter to Medi-Cal managed care plans reminding the plans about their responsibility to provide timely access to abortion services as a physician service. While prior authorization may be required for non-emergency inpatient hospitalization, plans must ensure that prior authorization is not required for outpatient abortion services. No physician is required to perform abortion services, but plans must inform beneficiaries that providers may refuse to provide such services. Additionally, plans may not deny or interfere with a woman’s right to choose or get an abortion when necessary for the life or health of the woman. DHCS APL 15-020 (9/30/15).
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations