What did Medi-Cal actually approve for you?

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• sunriselanes884Aug 10, 2026Marked as the answer

  Medi-Cal approved 7 days of detox for me within 48 hours, no fight needed. Getting the residential portion approved took another 10 days because they wanted updated ASAM documentation from my counselor before they would authorize the next 21 days. Once that paperwork went in, the extension came through in about 3 business days. My advice is to ask your facility's admissions team to submit the ASAM scoring right away instead of waiting for the insurer to request it.

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• quietridge1147Aug 11, 2026

  My experience was rougher. Medi-Cal approved detox but denied the first residential request, saying outpatient was sufficient. We had to appeal with a letter from my psychiatrist documenting a prior relapse within 30 days of leaving a lower level of care, and that got residential approved for 14 days. It took almost 3 weeks total from first denial to final approval, so budget more time than you think you'll need.

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