Alameda Alliance at CityHealth: Your Medi-Cal Urgent Care Guide
Your Alameda Alliance card gets you into CityHealth for urgent care, lab work, X-rays, and more. No referral needed. No appointment needed. Just walk in. If you have this Medi-Cal managed care plan, both of our county locations are ready to see you today.
Medically reviewed by Sean Parkin, PA, CEO & Founder — Urgent Care Specialist
What Is Alameda Alliance for Health?
Alameda Alliance for Health is a Medi-Cal managed care plan that serves residents of Alameda County. Specifically, it covers people in Oakland, San Leandro, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, and surrounding cities. Unlike national insurance companies, this plan is run locally. Because of this, it focuses specifically on the health needs of people right here in our community.
If you qualify for Medi-Cal, you may have been assigned this plan during enrollment. Alternatively, you may have chosen it yourself. Either way, your coverage includes a wide range of medical services. For instance, it covers urgent care visits at CityHealth with no referral required.
The plan currently covers over 300,000 members in the county. As a result, it is one of the most common Medi-Cal options in the East Bay. So if you carry this card, you are in good company. Indeed, thousands of your neighbors use the same coverage every year.
What Does Alameda Alliance Cover at CityHealth?
Your plan covers a long list of services at our clinics. Notably, here is what you can walk in for:
- Urgent care visits for colds, flu, infections, minor injuries, rashes, and more
- Lab work including blood tests, urine tests, and rapid strep tests
- X-rays for sprains, fractures, and chest imaging
- TB testing for employment, school, or immigration requirements
- STD testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and more
- Physical exams for sports, school, or work clearance
- Vaccinations including flu shots, tetanus, and routine immunizations
All of these services are available without a referral. In other words, you do not need to call your primary care doctor first. Simply walk into either CityHealth location with your member ID card.
No Copay for Most Alameda Alliance Services
Here is some good news. Under Medi-Cal, most services have zero copay. That means you will not owe anything out of pocket for your urgent care visit, lab work, or X-rays at CityHealth. In short, the plan picks up the full tab for covered services.
Some people worry about how much urgent care costs. However, with this managed care plan, the answer is usually nothing. So do not let cost concerns stop you from getting care. After all, that is exactly what your coverage is for.
In rare cases, certain services may have a small copay. Still, this is uncommon for Medi-Cal recipients. If you have questions about a specific service, call us at (510) 984-2489. Our team will check your benefits before you come in.
How to Walk In with Your Medi-Cal Plan
Getting seen at CityHealth is simple. Here is the step-by-step process:
- Walk in. No appointment is required. Simply show up during our open hours.
- Bring your member ID card. Our front desk team will verify your coverage right away.
- Bring a photo ID. A driver’s license, state ID, or passport works fine.
- Fill out a short intake form. This typically takes about five minutes.
- See a provider. Then, one of our medical professionals will take care of you.
That is the whole process. There is no referral paperwork. Likewise, there is no prior authorization needed for standard urgent care services. If you want to know more about the visit itself, read our guide on what to expect at urgent care.
Both CityHealth Locations Accept Alameda Alliance
We have two clinics in the county. Both accept this Medi-Cal managed care plan. Pick whichever location is closer to you.
CityHealth San Leandro
Address: 201 Dolores Ave, San Leandro, CA 94577
This location is especially convenient for residents of San Leandro, Hayward, Castro Valley, and San Lorenzo. Additionally, it is easy to reach from Interstate 880.
CityHealth Oakland / Montclair
Address: 1970 Mountain Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611
This location primarily serves Oakland, Montclair, Piedmont, Berkeley, and Emeryville. It is also a great option for anyone in the Oakland hills area.
Hours for Both Locations
Monday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Tuesday through Friday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
We are open seven days a week. As a result, you can walk in and get treated even on weekends without waiting until Monday.
Medi-Cal Benefits You Should Know About
Since this is a Medi-Cal plan, your benefits come from the state’s Medicaid program. Here are some key things to understand about your coverage:
- No monthly premiums. You do not pay a monthly bill for Medi-Cal.
- No or low copays. Most services are free at the point of care.
- Preventive care is covered. For example, this includes physicals, screenings, and vaccinations.
- Urgent care is covered. You can visit CityHealth instead of going to the ER.
- Prescriptions are covered. If you need medication after your visit, Medi-Cal covers most prescriptions too.
Many people do not realize they can use their Medi-Cal plan at urgent care. Consequently, they go to the emergency room instead. But urgent care is faster, closer, and designed for non-life-threatening issues. For instance, you do not need to sit in an ER waiting room for a sore throat or a sprained ankle.
If you are looking for doctors near you that accept Medicaid, CityHealth is a great option. We see Medi-Cal patients every single day. Furthermore, our providers are experienced with the full range of covered services under your plan.
Why Choose Urgent Care Over the ER?
When you feel sick or get hurt, your first thought might be the emergency room. However, urgent care is often the better choice for non-emergency issues. Here is why:
- Shorter wait times. Generally, most patients are seen within 30 minutes at CityHealth.
- Lower cost. Even though your Medi-Cal plan covers both, urgent care keeps overall healthcare costs down.
- Same-day results. Also, we offer on-site lab work and X-rays, so you get answers fast.
- Convenient hours. We are open evenings and weekends, unlike most primary care offices.
Of course, if you are having a true emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER. But for things like ear infections, sprains, fevers, and rashes, urgent care is the right call. Ultimately, it saves you time and gets you treated faster.
Other Medi-Cal Plans We Accept
This is not the only Medi-Cal plan we work with. CityHealth also accepts:
- Blue Cross Medi-Cal
- Health Net Medi-Cal
- Molina Healthcare Medi-Cal
So if someone in your household has a different Medi-Cal plan, they can still come to CityHealth. We also accept Blue Shield and many commercial insurance plans.
Not sure if we take your plan? Call (510) 984-2489 and we will verify your coverage over the phone. Besides Medi-Cal patients, we also welcome people who are visiting urgent care without insurance.
What to Bring to Your Visit
Before you head to CityHealth, make sure you have these items ready:
- Your member ID card. This has your member number, plan details, and group information. We need it to bill your visit correctly.
- A valid photo ID. A California driver’s license or state ID card is ideal. Alternatively, a passport also works.
- A list of current medications. This helps our providers give you safe, accurate care.
- Any relevant medical records. If you have recent lab results or imaging from another provider, bring those along too.
If you cannot find your member card, do not worry. First, call member services at the number on the Alameda Alliance website to request a replacement. You can also call us at (510) 984-2489. In many cases, we can look up your coverage with just your name and date of birth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CityHealth accept Alameda Alliance for Health?
Yes. Indeed, both CityHealth locations accept this plan. You can walk in to our San Leandro clinic at 201 Dolores Ave or our Oakland/Montclair clinic at 1970 Mountain Blvd. No appointment is needed.
Do I need a referral to visit CityHealth with my plan?
No. You do not need a referral from your primary care doctor. Just walk in with your member ID card. Similarly, no prior authorization is required for standard urgent care services.
Will I have a copay at CityHealth?
Typically, most members pay zero copay for urgent care services under Medi-Cal. In rare cases, there may be a small copay for certain services. Call us at (510) 984-2489 if you want to confirm before your visit.
What services can I get at CityHealth?
You can get urgent care visits, lab work, X-rays, TB testing, STD testing, physical exams, and vaccinations. In fact, all of these services are covered under your Medi-Cal managed care plan.
What are CityHealth’s hours of operation?
We are open Monday from 10 AM to 7 PM, Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM to 7 PM, and Saturday through Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Importantly, both locations follow the same schedule.
What if I lost my member ID card?
Contact member services to request a replacement card. Alternatively, you can visit CityHealth and our team may be able to verify your coverage using your name and date of birth. However, bringing your card always speeds up the process.
Does CityHealth accept other Medi-Cal plans?
Yes. In addition to this plan, we also accept Blue Cross, Health Net, and Molina Medi-Cal plans. Call (510) 984-2489 to verify your specific plan before coming in.
Can I get a TB test or STD test at CityHealth?
Absolutely. TB testing and STD testing are both covered services under your plan. Walk in to either location during business hours. No appointment is necessary.
