California Children's Services
CCS is a State program for children with certain diseases or health problems. Through this program, children up to 21 years old can get the health care and services they need. CCS will connect you with doctors and trained health care people who know how to care for your child with special health care needs
CCS SAR Updates
The Integrated Systems of Care Division (ISCD) has updated our process for the Service Authorization Request (SAR) adjudication process. The new process aims to streamline communications with counties and improve internal routing. To support improved SAR adjudication, ISCD has:
- Updated the SAR Cover Sheet to improve internal routing of SARs
- Created three new email inboxes to reduce confusion related to submission of inquiries from the counties to ISCD
Please note that the purpose of the new mailboxes is to:
- Notify ISCD that additional documentation for a pending SAR has been entered to the CMS Net system
- Follow-up on an expedited request
- Bring to ISCD's attention any issue or concern regarding a SAR that shows a pending status after certain period of time (usually, more than 45 days)
- Request review of a SAR
- Request other services from ISCD
New SARs should be directed to the local County CCS office and not sent to the mailboxes listed below.
Email inboxes and the SAR Fax Sheet are as follows:
SAR Fax Cover Sheet
New Email Inboxes and Right Faxes
CCSPhysicianReview@dhcs.ca.gov; RightFax (916) 440-5308
This inbox will process ONLY the following SAR requests:
- Cochlear Implant Surgery Requests
- Out-of-State Requests
- Transplant Requests (including CAR-T: Yescarta, Kymriah)
CCSExpeditedReview@dhcs.ca.gov; RightFax (916) 440-5306
This inbox will process SARs that require expedited clinician review, but are not limited to:
- Bleeding Disorders: Blood Factor and Hemlibra
- Cystic Fibrosis: Kalydeco, Orkambi, Symdeko, Trikafta
- Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Exondys 51, Golodirsen, Deflazacort
- Growth Disorders: Lupron, Histrelin, Triporelin
- High-Risk Infants: Synagis
- Hospital Discharge Needs
- Metabolic Diseases: Kuvan, Palynziq, Brineura, medical foods, enteral nutrition products
- Retinal Disease: Luxturna
- Seizure management: Epidiolex
- Spasticity management: Botulinum Toxin
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Spinraza, Zolgensma
- Upcoming Surgery including Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy
This inbox will process all other requests that require ISCD action, including, but not limited to:
- Annual Medical Reviews (AMRs)
- Diabetic Supplies, Pumps, Monitoring Devices
- Durable Medical Equipment
- Genetic Testing
- Inter-County Transfers
- Medical Eligibility Determination
- Whole Child Model Counties
- CMIPS III Counties
- Medical Therapy Program
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Off-label or investigational services
- Previous Decision Reconsiderations
- Request for ISCD Second Opinion
- SARs submitted more than 45 days ago
Any requests that are not routed as outlined above, or are submitted without the SAR Cover sheet, will be returned to the requesting county for correction.
Please send any referrals or applications to the
LOCAL COUNTY CCS OFFICE for processing.
Providers are encouraged to continue to work with the local county CCS office for SAR processing.
These mailboxes are primarily for communication between the county CCS offices and ISCD.
SAR inquiries received directly from providers may be returned and deferred to the county.
