Gold Coast Health Plan — Medi-Cal Pharmacy Program Implementation Extended by Three Months

CAMARILLO — The timeline for Gold Coast Health Plan’s pharmacy program transition has been extended to April 1, 2021.

The new program by the state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), known as Medi-Cal Rx, will carve-out all prescription benefits from managed care plans like GCHP. Upon implementation, all pharmacy claims will be submitted directly to the state via its pharmacy benefit manager, Magellan Medicaid Administration, Inc. DHCS announced the new implantation date last month, citing “the ongoing uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency” for its decision to extend the timeline.

GCHP will continue to offer pharmacy benefits through its pharmacy benefit manager, OptumRx, until the transition occurs.

“We remain committed to working with our providers to ensure that our members experience a smooth transition to Medi-Cal Rx,” said Anne Freese, GCHP’s pharmacy director. “We encourage providers and their staff to continue preparing for the transition by becoming acquainted with the Medi-Cal Rx provider portal and completing any necessary training to learn how to help members access their pharmacy benefits.”

Members will be receiving information about the transition in the mail. GCHP will reach out to providers as DHCS releases updated timelines for the implementation.