Behavioral Health

Mental health benefits and coverage

Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (CHPIV) covers mental health services for members. You can get a mental health assessment at any time from a licensed mental health provider in the CHPIV network. You do not need a referral or pre-approval (prior authorization).

If your assessment shows you have a mild to moderate mental health condition, CHPIV covers services such as:

• Individual and group therapy (psychotherapy)
• Psychological testing to evaluate a mental health condition
• Help building skills to improve attention, memory, and problem solving
• Outpatient services to monitor medicines
• Outpatient lab services
• Outpatient medicines not covered by Medi-Cal Rx, and supplies and supplements
• Psychiatric consultation
• Family therapy (at least two family members), such as child-parent therapy (ages 0 to 5), parent-child interactive therapy (ages 2 to 12), and couples therapy for adults

If the care you need is not available in the CHPIV network, or cannot be provided within the required timeframes, CHPIV will cover and help you get out-of-network services.

Specialty mental health services. If you need a higher level of care, your provider can refer you to the Imperial County mental health plan. CHPIV will help you coordinate your first appointment. County services include outpatient, residential, crisis, and inpatient care.

Substance use treatment. Substance use disorder (SUD) treatment is provided through the county. CHPIV can help with an assessment and a referral. You can also go to an SUD provider directly.

Minors. Members age 12 and older can get outpatient mental health treatment or counseling without a parent’s or guardian’s permission.

Benefit limits and how much you have used

There are no visit limits on covered mental health services. Care is based on medical need.

For questions about your benefits, or how much of a benefit you have used, call Member Services at 1-833-236-4141 (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Find a mental health provider

To find an in-network mental health provider:

1. Go to Provider Search.
2. Under Provider Type/Section, choose Behavioral Health.
3. To narrow your search, pick a Provider Specialty such as Psychiatry, Psychology, Marriage/Family Counseling, or Social Worker Clinical. You can also filter by city, language, and whether the provider is accepting new patients.

You can also view the printable Provider Directory, or call Member Services to request a printed copy or get help finding a provider.

Claims and billing

In most cases, you will not get a bill for covered mental health services. Your provider bills CHPIV directly. You do not have to pay for covered services unless you have a Medi-Cal Monthly Resident Cost.

If you get a bill you do not think you owe, call Member Services at 1-833-236-4141 (TTY 711). Tell us the amount, the date of service, and the reason for the bill. We will help you find out if the service was covered.

Get help by phone

Emergency: Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency.

CHPIV Member Services: 1-833-236-4141 (TTY 711). Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Call for mental health benefits, finding a provider, billing questions, and the Nurse Advice Line. This is also the behavioral health line, and you can find it on your CHPIV member ID card.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org/chat. Available 24/7. Free, private help in a mental health or substance use crisis.

Imperial County Behavioral Health 24-Hour Access Line: 1-800-817-5292. Available 24/7. For county specialty mental health and substance use services.