Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS)
Support with daily life, staying at home, transportation, meals, and caregiving.
A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.
UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.
What to know
- Why it may fit
- Your circumstances can be checked against the program’s published guidelines.
- What to do next
- CBAS is adult day health care. You spend part of the day at a center that helps with your health and daily needs. Your Medi-Cal health plan decides if you qualify. A doctor or other health care provider must ask for it.
- Who runs it
- Medi-Cal managed care / DHCS
What the program may consider
- You are in a Medi-Cal managed-care plan, or a qualifying exception applies
- You are an older adult or an adult with a disability
- You need adult day health services to keep caring for yourself and stay out of a facility
- Medi-Cal plan determines CBAS eligibility
How to get it
CBAS is adult day health care. You spend part of the day at a center that helps with your health and daily needs. Your Medi-Cal health plan decides if you qualify. A doctor or other health care provider must ask for it.
Before you start
- You need this first Aged, Blind and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal. You need Medi-Cal. Most people must also be in a Medi-Cal health plan.
How to apply
Santa Clara Family Health Plan long-term care referral
For plan members. One form asks for adult day health care (CBAS), MSSP or IHSS. The plan reviews it in up to 5 business days.
The same application can also ask for Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP).
- EmailSanta Clara Family Health Plan long-term care referrals: LTSSHelpDesk@scfhp.comSend the plan's referral form by secure email.
- FaxSanta Clara Family Health Plan long-term care referral fax: 1-408-874-1985
- PhoneSanta Clara Family Health Plan Medi-Cal member services: 1-800-260-2055Members can call to ask for these services.
Getting help
Someone can refer you, with your permission
With your OK, many people can refer you. That includes a CBAS center, your doctor, a case manager, family or a community group. A doctor or other health care provider must also ask for CBAS. Want a helper to talk with Santa Clara Family Health Plan about your case? You both sign the plan's form in ink. Digital signatures are not accepted.
What happens after you apply
Your Medi-Cal health plan gets the referral. Santa Clara Family Health Plan reviews its referral form in up to 5 business days. Anthem Blue Cross and Kaiser members go through their own plan.
Your health planUp to 5 business days at Santa Clara Family Health Plan.
A doctor, nurse practitioner or other health care provider asks for CBAS for you.
If a request is not already on file
Your doctor or clinicianA helper can help with this
A nurse from your plan meets with you, usually in person, to see if you qualify. The plan may skip this if it already knows enough.
Your health planOnly you can do thisOften within about 30 days of the request.
The CBAS center's team assesses you over 3 days. They write a care plan with you.
The program or providerOnly you can do this
Your plan approves, changes or denies the care plan and the number of days each week. You get a letter.
Your health planUsually within 5 business days. It can take up to 14 days.
You start going to the center on the days your plan approved.
YouOnly you can do this
What only you can do
- Agree to the referral.
- Ask your doctor or other health care provider to request CBAS for you.
- Meet with the plan nurse, and go to the center for its assessment.
- Go to the center on your approved days.
- How long it takes
- About 3 to 6 weeks. It depends on openings at the center.
- You are enrolled when
- You are enrolled once your plan approves your care plan and days, and you start going.
- To keep it
- Your plan reviews your care plan at least every 6 months. For some people, it can be every 12 months. Keep your Medi-Cal and your health plan. Keep going to the center. The center may stop services if it can no longer meet your needs.
Coming changes
- Starting January 1, 2027: The state's current approval for CBAS runs through December 31, 2026. The state has asked to keep CBAS going after that, under new rules.
- Starting January 1, 2027: Starting January 1, 2027, people without a qualifying immigration status leave Medi-Cal health plans. The plan route to CBAS will not apply to them.
- Starting January 1, 2027: Starting January 1, 2027, some adults under 65 must renew Medi-Cal every 6 months. If your Medi-Cal stops, CBAS stops too.