Alternative Access Standards

Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option
Print

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