The guide is a single resource you can use to take an active role in your health and engage with your health plan. It provides useful information about myProvidence, care options, and other programs available for PHP members.

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Your member ID card

Carry your member ID card with you as you’ll need it when you receive services. It includes important information, including your name, member ID number, medical plan, network information and important phone numbers.

Benefit summaries and Summaries of Benefits and Coverage

These benefit summaries and Summaries of Benefits and Coverage (SBCs) do not describe the savings account associated with the medical plan nor do they list the possible financial incentive that Providence will contribute to the account if you choose to complete certain healthy activities by the given deadline. We encourage you to learn more about these types of savings accounts and what incentives may be available to you.

More information about your health plan can be found in the Summary Plan Description located on the HR portal under Find HR Information/Benefits/Resources & Notices.

Northern California

2024 Benefit summaries

• St. Joseph Health EPO (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HRA (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HSA Medical (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health PPO (PDF)

2024 Summaries of Benefits and Coverage

• St. Joseph Health EPO (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HRA (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HSA Medical (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health PPO (PDF)

2023 Benefit summaries

• St. Joseph Health EPO (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HRA (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HSA Medical (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health PPO (PDF)

2023 Summaries of Benefits and Coverage

• St. Joseph Health EPO (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HRA (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HSA Medical (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health PPO (PDF)

Southern California

2024 Summaries of Benefits and Coverage

• St. Joseph Health OR EPO (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HRA (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HSA Medical (PDF)

2024 Summaries of Benefits and Coverage

• St. Joseph Health OR EPO (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HRA (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HSA Medical (PDF) 

2023 Summaries of Benefits and Coverage

• St. Joseph Health OR EPO (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HRA (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HSA Medical (PDF)

2023 Summaries of Benefits and Coverage

• St. Joseph Health OR EPO (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HRA (PDF)
• St. Joseph Health HSA Medical (PDF) 

We know behavioral health care isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. We’re all unique, and our journey and needs vary depending on our personal situation. At Providence, we want that lens to drive us when looking at the mix of services and solutions we offer for your well-being. Whether you’re looking for some support to relax, ready to try self-directed therapy that helps you to engage when you feel like it, or looking for immediate connection to a provider – via text, voice, video or face to face – we have many options to fit your needs.

Formulary

Providence Health Plan provides a comprehensive prescription drug formulary designed to promote safe, effective and affordable drug therapy.

Tips to help you save when you need a prescription

• Choose generics when possible.
• Use a participating retail pharmacy; refer to the online provider directory
• Fill medication taken on a regular, recurring basis for a chronic or long-term health condition (i.e., “maintenance medication”) at a preferred retail or mail-order pharmacy. You can purchase up to a 90-day supply.
• Have certain medications prior-authorized (see prior authorization below for more information).
• If you take an eligible specialty medication, the Smart RxAssist program helps lower your out-of-pocket costs to $0.
• The list of medications eligible for this program is available here.
• There is no cost to you for participating in the Smart RxAssist program.
• You are automatically enrolled in the program if you take an eligible specialty medication in the Smart RxAssist program.
• If you are filling an eligible medication in the Smart RxAssist program, a Patient Advocate may reach out to you to complete program enrollment.
• Medications eligible for the program are subject to change.
• Because this program provides a $0 cost not subject to the deductible, the tax laws regarding a health savings account make this program unavailable to those enrolled in the Health Savings Account (HSA) medical plan.

Participating pharmacies

As a member, you have access to more than 36,000 participating pharmacies, including retail, preferred retail, mail-order and specialty. Find one in our online provider directory.

Mail-order pharmacy:

Postal Prescription Services

Website: www.ppsrx.com

Phone: 503-797-2100 or 800-552-6694
Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Pacific Time)

Mailing address: P.O. Box 2718, Portland, OR 97208

Automated refill line available 24/7, 365 days a year: 800-552-6694

Pharmacy FAQ

Get answers to frequently asked questions about prescription drug coverage, prior authorization, using the formulary, and specialty medication.

Certain services require a prior authorization before you receive care, meaning that before you receive care, the service must be pre-approved by Providence Health Plan. Here’s what you should know about prior authorization:

Certain services need to be approved before you receive them from a health care provider.
Sometimes you need to get the prior authorization; sometimes your provider will get the approval. 

Make sure to discuss prior authorization with your provider when you are considering one of the following procedures:

• Inpatient hospital admissions, including maternity
• High tech diagnostic imaging, such as MRI, MRA, SPECT, CT, CTA, PET, Nuclear Cardiology (Carelon Medical Benefits Management (formerly American Imaging Management) authorizes these services; contact Carelon at 800-920-1250)
  
  
  • Effective March 1, 2023, American Imaging Management/AIM Specialty Health and Beacon Health Options changed their names to Carelon. AIM transitioned to Carelon Medical Benefits Management, and Beacon Health Options transitioned to Carelon Behavioral Health. If you have questions about this change, please call 800-878-4445 or click here to learn more.
• Mental Health and/or Chemical Dependency services (PBH, a team of experts in mental health – sometimes called "behavioral health," is the authorizing agent: 800-711-4577)
• Outpatient Rehab for Physical and Occupational Therapy: 866-803-8052 www.evicore.com/pages/ProviderLogin.aspx
• Select outpatient procedures, included but not limited to these categories:
  
  
  • Miscellaneous cosmetic, reconstructive, nasal, oral/dental/orthognathic procedures
  • Cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal surgeries
  • All bariatric services
  • Organ/tissue and bone marrow transplants (including pre-transplant evaluations and HLA typing)
  • Uvulectomy, uvulopalatophyaryngoplasty (UPPP), laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP)
  • Select hip, knee and shoulder procedures
  • Sleep studies and/or treatment of sleep disorders
• Skilled nursing facility admissions
• Inpatient rehabilitation facility admissions
• Inpatient hospice
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Cardiac rehabilitation
• General anesthesia for dental services
• Procedures/surgeries/treatment that may be considered experimental or investigational
• Genetic testing (Cytogenetic Studies) and counseling
• Prosthetics
• Select Durable Medical Equipment including but not limited to the following categories:
  
  
  • Power-wheel chairs & supplies
  • Seat Lift Mechanisms
  • Select nerve stimulators
  • Skin substitutes
  • Oral appliances
  • Flexion/Extension devices
  • Wound Therapy pumps
  • Speech Generating devices
  • Purchase of CPAP post trial rental period
• Select injectable medications also require prior authorization. See your pharmacy medical services prior-authorization list (PDF) for details.

The list of services needing prior authorization is not exhaustive. For a complete list of services that require prior authorization, please contact PHP customer service at 800-878-4445.

Important information about how prior authorization works

Talk with your provider about getting prior authorization. Many times a provider will obtain the prior authorization on your behalf. You can call Providence Health Plan customer service at 800-878-4445 to verify if prior authorization has been obtained. If you do not obtain prior authorization for services received from an out-of-network provider, a financial penalty may apply.

The following tips can help you save when you receive care:

Tip 1: Use your preventive care benefits; certain services are covered in full.
Your plan covers certain preventive services in full when received from an in-plan provider.

Tip 2: Choose in-network providers and pharmacies.
Refer to the online provider directory to locate in-network providers and participating pharmacies.

Tip 3: Choose generic medications, use mail-order services and have certain medications prior authorized before they are filled.
Purchase up to a 90-day supply of maintenance drugs using a participating mail-order pharmacy or preferred retail pharmacy. Not all drugs are considered maintenance prescriptions, including compounded drugs, drugs from specialty pharmacies and oncology drugs. Learn more about this here.

Tip 4: Know what services need to be authorized before you receive care.
Certain services require prior authorization, meaning that before you receive care, the service must be authorized by Providence Health Plan. Refer to your member materials to learn more about prior authorization. Refer to the prior authorization section of this page for more information.

Make the most of your health care benefits with discounts and online resources for managing costs, services and quality.

Recreation

Are you looking to buy some new gear to help you get in shape? Thinking about joining a gym, taking a healthy cooking class or signing up for some kayaking lessons? Whatever it is you want to do to stay in shape and help maintain a healthy weight, our recreational discount partner LifeBalance can help you save money doing it. In addition to saving money on health and wellness-related activities and services, LifeBalance offers great discounts on health and wellness-related activities, as well as recreation and cultural activities, and discounts on travel, including on hotels, cruises and a variety of adventure tours.

Log in or register for a free myProvidence account to access discounts.

Smoking cessation

Smoking is a powerful addiction. Quitting takes practice, patience and support. You can get the help you need with award-winning support groups and telephone counseling programs:

• Tobacco quit line - A free telephone service to help you develop a personalized quit plan and find counseling and resources in your area. Call 1‑800‑QUIT‑NOW or 877‑2NO‑FUME (Spanish).
• Free & Clear - A telephone-based program designed for smokers who want a structured program but cannot attend regular classes. Call 800-292-2336.

Tired of the weight roller coaster? Tired of trying the latest fad diet? Just tired of being tired? We hear you. Proper nutrition — a stable, consistent approach to it — is essential for peak body performance and preventing health concerns.

Whether you're looking to lose weight, want to eat smarter, or battling an eating disorder, you and your dependents have access to nutritional counseling benefits. The first four visits are covered in full, meaning that you pay nothing out of pocket for these services. After your fourth visit, additional visits are paid according to your “office visits” benefit. See your member materials for your plan’s benefits.

Why nutritional counseling?

We encourage you to fully understand and use your health plan benefits. When you access nutritional counseling services, you'll benefit from:

• A personalized plan. You'll work with a nutrition counselor to develop a plan that works from where you are. Your needs will be thoroughly assessed and analyzed to develop a plan and pace that's right for you.
• A healthier you. Proper nutrition and appropriate exercise will provide you enough energy to make it through each day. Without a proper diet and exercise level, you're at risk for health concerns.
• Knowledge of foods that aren't scary and that taste good. Good nutrition isn't limited to bland, boring veggies. When you work with a nutrition counselor, you'll learn that there are foods that are not only good for you, but also taste good.

Nutrition resources are available

For enrolled Providence California caregivers: Providence St. Joseph Medical Center's Nutrition Counseling

Find the provider that’s right for you

Additional providers and programs are available. To find the provider that’s right for you, search the online provider directory.