Timely Access Regulations and Language Assistance Program

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Keeping you informed:

• Each year, we communicate the Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem) Timely Access Regulations and Language Assistance Program to our commercial medical and behavioral health networks via an annual provider mailing. The 2023 mailing was completed in January.
• Effective July 1, 2022, Anthem implemented SB 221 – Timely Access Requirements for
  Non-Physician Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Appointments. See the access standards charts on the pages that follow for more information.
• Effective January 1, 2023, a referral to a specialist by a primary care provider or another specialist shall be subject to the relevant time-elapsed standard.

Why is this important?

These are California state regulations.

Blue Cross of California dba Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life & Health Insurance Company (collectively, Anthem) is committed to keeping you, our network partners, updated on our activities related to our compliance with the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) and the California Department of Insurance (CDI) Timely Access to Non-Emergency Health Care Services Regulations (the Timely Access Regulations), respectively.

To ensure compliance with these timely access regulations, three surveys are conducted annually. The surveys include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provider Appointment Availability Survey
• Provider Satisfaction Survey
• Provider After – Hours Survey

In 2023, the annual surveys will begin in July or August and will continue through December 31.

Beginning with the 2023 Provider Appointment Availability Survey (PAAS), the DMHC expanded the types of specialist physicians who are included in the PAAS. Below is a complete list of provider types and specialties who will be included in the PAAS.