Sensitive care lets minors get the help they need to stay safe and healthy. Sometimes, minors may not feel safe talking to their parents or guardians about the care that they need.
If you are under age 18, you can get some Medi-Cal services when you need them. You can start to get these services at age 12. You do not need permission from a parent or guardian to see a doctor for sensitive care.
What are Sensitive Services?
You may get these services without your parent or guardian’s permission:
Non-Specialty Mental Health Services: Talk to a therapist or a counselor about your feelings, stress, anxiety, or ask for shelter services.
Sexual Health Care, such as:
- Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- HIV/AIDS counseling, prevention, testing, and treatment
- Contraception services such as birth control (does not include sterilization)
- Pregnancy testing and counseling
- Care for rape and other sexual assaults
- Abortion services
Substance Use Treatment: Get help for drinking or using drugs.
Sometimes you may want to talk to a doctor but do not feel safe to ask your parent or guardian about it. You can still get the care you need to stay safe and healthy.
If I am under 18, how can I get help?
Make an appointment with your primary care provider (PCP). Your PCP is the doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner in charge of your health care. You can get sensitive care without pre-approval (prior authorization).
Mental Health Care
You do not need a referral. You can call Carelon Behavioral Health to learn more or get an appointment at 1(855) 371-8117 or visit carelonbehavioralhealth.com. You may also go to an out-of-network doctor without a referral and without pre-approval.
Sexual Health Care
If you do not want to see your PCP, you still have other choices. For sexual health care, like pregnancy testing or STI testing and treatment, you can go to any Medi-Cal provider. You do not need a referral. Find a doctor here.
Substance Use Treatment
You do not need a referral. If you feel you need help with drinking or drug use, you can call the San Francisco County Community Behavioral Health Services (CBHS) Access Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1(415) 255-3737 or 1(888) 246-3333 toll free. If you are hearing-impaired, you may call CBHS’ TDD line at 1(888) 484-7200.
Get Care Now by Phone or Video
You can talk to someone in private about your health concerns by phone or video:
- Call the 24/7 SFHP Nurse Advice Line at 1(877) 977-3397.
- Call Teladoc® for a phone or video visit with a doctor at 1(800) 835-2362, or go to sfhp.org/teladoc.
- For mental health help, call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to talk to someone about what you’re going through.
Your Privacy
Each person deserves to feel safe and healthy. No one should feel shame when trying to get the care they need. If you can consent to your own care without a parent or guardian under the law, SFHP will not share records on your sensitive care services to anyone. We will not share this with your parents or guardians without your permission. You can also ask to get private records about your care in a certain form or format and have them sent to you at some other address.
We value your privacy and your health. Get the care you need at your own comfort.
