Alternative Access Standards
CCHP Alternative Access Standards are set by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and provide health plans with guidelines on time and distance standards for members to access health care services.
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) provides health plans with guidelines on time and distance standards for members to access health care services. These standards make sure that providers of certain health care services are located within a certain number of miles or travel time from where members live or are available by telehealth when accessing approved services. All health plans must meet these standards or have an established Alternative Access Standard (AAS) approved by DHCS.
Time and distance standards for primary care providers (PCP), specialists and hospitals:
| PROVIDER TYPE | TIME AND DISTANCE STANDARD |
|---|---|
| Primary Care (adult and pediatric) |
10 miles or 30 minutes from the member’s residence |
| Specialty Care (adult and pediatric) |
Based on county population density Contra Costa County 30 miles or 60 minutes from the member's residence |
| Hospital | 15 miles or 30 minutes from the member's residence |
| Telehealth | When approved by DHCS |
The list below shows the time and distance standards by zip code and the provider types that are approved by DHCS. If you need to get care from a provider that is located far away from where you live, you can call Member Services for help at 1-877-661-6230 (TTY 711). They will work with you to find a provider that is close to where you live. You can also request transportation services if CCHP cannot find care near you, even if that provider is located far away. Far away means you cannot get to that provider within the travel time and distance standards for your county, regardless of any Alternative Access Standard CCHP may use for your zip code. CCHP can also arrange care for you with a provider who is closer to you but is not part of the CCHP provider network. Or, you might get care from a telehealth provider for allowed services.
| ZIP CODE | CITY | PROVIDER TYPE | POPULATION SERVED |
APPROVED ALTERNATIVE ACCESS STANDARD DISTANCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94513 | Brentwood | Psychiatry | Adult | 20 Miles |
| 94513 | Brentwood | Psychiatry | Pediatric | 20 Miles |
| 94551 | Livermore | Pulmonology | Pediatric | 35 Miles |
| 94598 | Walnut Creek | Cardiology/ Interventional Cardiology |
Adult | 20 Miles |
| 94598 | Walnut Creek | Endocrinology | Adult | 20 Miles |
| 94598 | Walnut Creek | Endocrinology | Pediatric | 20 Miles |
| 94598 | Walnut Creek | Gastroenterology | Adult | 20 Miles |
| 94598 | Walnut Creek | Nephrology | Adult | 20 Miles |
| 94598 | Walnut Creek | Nephrology | Pediatric | 35 Miles |
| 94598 | Walnut Creek | OB/GYN | N/A | 20 Miles |
| 94598 | Walnut Creek | Oncology | Adult | 20 Miles |
| 94598 | Walnut Creek | PCP | Adult | 15 Miles |
| 94598 | Walnut Creek | Psychiatry | Pediatric | 20 Miles |