California Childrens Services
What is California Children's Services (CCS)?
California Children Services (CCS) is a statewide program that provides funding for treatment of children with certain physical limitations and chronic health conditions or diseases. CCS also authorizes and pays for specific medical services and equipment provided by CCS approved specialists.
With guidance from the California Department of Health Services, the County of Imperial Public Health Department operates the CCS program countywide. The program is funded with State, County, and federal tax money, along with some fees paid by parents.
If you or your child's doctor believes that your child might have a CCS eligible medical condition, the program may pay for or provide a medical evaluation to determine if your child's condition is covered. However, it is important for you to know that CCS is not a health insurance program. It will not meet all of your child’s health needs, only those related to the CCS-eligible condition.
Listed below are Frequently Asked Questions about the California Children's Services program:
All requests for CCS diagnostic and treatment services must be submitted using a Service Authorization Request (SAR) form except Orthodontic and Dental services (All necessary authorizations will be Denti-Cal’s responsibility). Only active Medi-Cal Providers may receive authorization to provide CCS program services. Services may be authorized for varying lengths of time during the CCS client’s eligibility period.
Families must:
- complete the English CCS Application or Spanish CCS Application and return it to your county CCS office
- give CCS all of the information requested so CCS can determine if your family qualifies
- apply to Medi-Cal if CCS asks you to.
- Providers must request CCS services using a SAR form. The completed form should be faxed to the Imperial County CCS office at (442) 265-1481.
- Providers are required to submit documentation to substantiate medical necessity at the time the SAR is submitted. Send the completed SAR form with supporting documentation to the appropriate CCS county or Regional Office via fax or mail. Examples of required supporting documentations include prescriptions, clinic visit reports, physical therapy evaluation reports, etc. A SAR without supporting documentation will be deferred back to the provider for additional information.
- Each SAR submitted to CCS is reviewed for medical necessity.
- If the SAR is approved, a copy of the authorization letter will be sent to the provider and the family via fax or mail.
- If the SAR is denied, a copy of the Notice of Action (NOA) or denial letter with the reason for denial of service will be sent to the client, parent or legal guardian with a courtesy copy to the provider via mail.
- If the SAR is incomplete and lacks supporting documentation to substantiate medical necessity, CCS will request the provider to submit additional information. There will be no further action on the SAR until CCS receives requested information.
All requests for CCS diagnostic and treatment services must be submitted using a Service Authorization Request (SAR) form except Orthodontic and Dental services (All necessary authorizations will be Denti-Cal’s responsibility). Only active Medi-Cal Providers may receive authorization to provide CCS program services. Services may be authorized for varying lengths of time during the CCS client’s eligibility period.
For more information about CCS please contact:
California Children's Services Program
Imperial County Public Health Department
935 Broadway St., El Centro, CA 92243
Main Line: (442) 265-1455
Office Fax: (442) 265-1481