Understand Your Right to Care
It’s the Law
Health Plans are required by law to provide maternal mental health programs and assist families in accessing treatment for maternal mental health conditions.
These programs can include:
Access to specialized maternal mental health care
Prenatal health educators
Referral to community resources
Assistance arranging transportation
Incentives for attending prenatal appointments
If you only have insurance during your pregnancy, you can get an extension to cover you through the first year postpartum. See our Care Connector for instructions.
You have a right to timely and appropriate behavioral health care. If you are having difficulty finding a therapist in your insurance network advocate for yourself.
Call Member Services
Explain the steps you have taken to secure care and how long you have been trying on your own. Ask for assistance.
Ask to speak to a case manager. Case managers can follow you throughout your pregnancy and help you connect to services like individual therapy and psychiatry services.
Request out-of-network authorization. This will allow you to widen your search to providers who will bill insurance companies they are not contracted with.
If your Health Plan is not giving you timely access to care for maternal mental health you have the right to file a complaint. You can:
File a grievance directly with your insurance company
Make a complaint through California Department of Managed Health Care (HMO type plans) or California Department of Insurance (PPO type plans)
