--- title: "Carelon Behavioral Health of California, Inc. (Carelon) at Sutter Health" description: "Introducing our new behavioral health plan partner, Carelon Behavioral Health of California, Inc. (pending regulatory approval)." url: "https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/carelon" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/) / 2. [About Sutter Health Plan](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us) / 3. Carelon Behavioral Health of California, Inc. (Carelon) # Carelon Behavioral Health of California, Inc. (Carelon) **Section menu** - [About Sutter Health Plan](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us "About Sutter Health Plan") - [Sales team](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/our-team "Sales team") - [Products and Plans](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/products-plans "Products and Plans") - [Individual and Family Plans](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/products-plans/individual-family-plans "Individual and Family Plans") - [Large Group Plans](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/products-plans/large-group-plans "Large Group Plans") - [Small Group Plans](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/products-plans/small-group-plans "Small Group Plans") - [Information About COVID-19 Coverage Cost and Access to Care](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/covid-19 "Information About COVID-19 Coverage Cost and Access to Care") - [Carelon Behavioral Health of California, Inc. (Carelon)](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/carelon "Carelon Behavioral Health of California, Inc. (Carelon)") - [Sutter Walk-In Care](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/walk-in-care "Sutter Walk-In Care") - [Service Area](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/service-area "Service Area") - [About Sutter Health Plan](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us "About Sutter Health Plan") - [Sales team](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/our-team "Sales team") - [Products and Plans](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/products-plans "Products and Plans") - [Individual and Family Plans](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/products-plans/individual-family-plans "Individual and Family Plans") - [Large Group Plans](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/products-plans/large-group-plans "Large Group Plans") - [Small Group Plans](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/products-plans/small-group-plans "Small Group Plans") - [Information About COVID-19 Coverage Cost and Access to Care](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/covid-19 "Information About COVID-19 Coverage Cost and Access to Care") - [Carelon Behavioral Health of California, Inc. (Carelon)](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/carelon "Carelon Behavioral Health of California, Inc. (Carelon)") - [Sutter Walk-In Care](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/walk-in-care "Sutter Walk-In Care") - [Service Area](https://www.sutterhealthplan.org/about-us/service-area "Service Area") ## Information About Sutter Health Plan’s Transition to a New Behavioral Health Plan Partner Carelon Behavioral Health of California, Inc. (Carelon) replaced U.S. Behavioral Health Plan, California (USBHPC) as the behavioral health plan partner for Sutter Health Plan, effective Jan. 1, 2026. As the new behavioral health plan partner, Carelon now manages all mental health and substance use disorder services covered under Sutter Health Plan benefits. There is no change to the behavioral health care benefits for covered members.  Frequently Asked Questions We understand that you may have questions about the transition to Carelon. The FAQs below are provided to help answer some of your questions. **Who is Carelon?** Carelon has more than 40 years of experience offering comprehensive care to members for their behavioral health needs. Carelon works to deliver a simple and effective healthcare experience. Putting people at the center, Carelon is built on a strong support structure of doctors, nurses, therapists and other healthcare professionals to fulfill the behavioral health care needs of members with: - Personalized care solutions through in-person and telehealth visits. - Industry-leading, evidence-based treatments. - Integrated and coordinated behavioral health care. With decades of experience, Carelon aims to provide dependable service and thoughtful support while helping you navigate your behavioral health benefits. **What is Carelon’s contact information for Sutter Health Plan members?** - Website: [carelonbh.com/sutterhealthplan](https://carelonbh.com/sutterhealthplan "carelonbh.com/sutterhealthplan") This website allows members to search for providers and access forms and resources.  - Telephone: Carelon Member Services (available 24/7): [844-398-0314](tel:+18443980314) (TTY 711) **Is Sutter Health Plan mailing new ID cards to members?** Yes. The new ID cards will start arriving in January 2026. The cards will be sent with a letter that confirms the transition effective date and key information for Carelon. **What if a member has an appointment with a behavioral health provider after Jan. 1, 2026, but they have not yet received their new ID card?** Members can get a copy of their updated ID card by: - Downloading a copy from their [Sutter Health Plan Member Portal](https://shplan.org/MemberPortal "Sutter Health Plan Member Portal") (registration required), if already available. - Calling Sutter Health Plan Customer Service at [855-315-5800](tel:+18553155800) or by TTY at [855-830-3500](tel:+18558303500) to get an emailed copy if not yet available on their member portal. Customer Service is available 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday. **How can members find in-network behavioral health provider options in the Carelon network?** Members can use Carelon’s provider search tool to find in-network provider options. The search tool is located at [carelonbh.com/sutterhealthplan](https://carelonbh.com/sutterhealthplan "carelonbh.com/sutterhealthplan"). Members can also call Carelon Member Services at [844-398-0314](tel:+18443980314) (TTY 711), available 24/7, for help. **How can members find out if their current behavioral health provider is in the Carelon network?** Members can use Carelon’s provider search tool to see if their current provider is in the Carelon network. The search tool is located at [carelonbh.com/sutterhealthplan](https://carelonbh.com/sutterhealthplan "carelonbh.com/sutterhealthplan"). Members can also call Carelon Member Services at [844-398-0314](tel:+18443980314) (TTY 711), available 24/7, for help. **What if a member can’t find their current behavioral health provider after searching the Carelon network?**  Members who can’t find their current behavioral health provider in Carelon’s network do not need to take any immediate action. We are working with Carelon to ensure members can continue to see their current provider until May 1, 2026, without interruption. We are working to identify members who have seen a behavioral health provider within the last 120 days that will not be in the Carelon network as of Jan. 1, 2026. At the end of November 2025, we began mailing these members a letter that informs them about the transition process and optional next steps with Carelon. **What happens if a member’s provider is not in Carelon’s network as of Jan. 1, 2026?**  We are working with Carelon to ensure members can continue to see their current behavioral health provider until May 1, 2026, without interruption. This means that members: - Can continue to see their current provider as planned. - Are only responsible for paying their standard cost share for each visit between Jan. 1, 2026, and May 1, 2026. **What options do members have to continue seeing their current provider after May 1, 2026?** Members may be eligible for a continuity of care approval to continue seeing their current provider after May 1, 2026. **What is continuity of care and who qualifies for it?**  Continuity of care is a process that temporarily allows members to continue care with an out-of-network provider. Members may qualify for continuity of care if they have: - An acute condition (sudden onset requiring prompt care). This type of continuity of care approval can last until the condition is resolved. - A serious chronic condition (long-term illness requiring ongoing treatment). This type of continuity of care approval can last up to 12 months from provider termination or coverage start. - Pregnancy (including postpartum and maternal mental health conditions). This type of continuity of care approval can last up to 12 months from diagnosis or end of pregnancy. - A scheduled surgery or procedure \[e.g., electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)\]. This type of continuity of care approval can last within 180 days of coverage start or provider termination. **How can members request continuity of care?**  Members can call Carelon Member Services at [844-398-0314](tel:+18443980314) to submit a continuity of care request or request more information. Members must submit the continuity of care request no later than March 2, 2026. Members who do not start their continuity of care request by March 2, 2026, may not qualify to have their request approved. **Can out-of-network providers ask to join the Carelon network?**  Yes. Carelon partners with Availity to process provider network enrollments. Providers can use the Availity portal at [availity.com](https://availity.com/ "availity.com") (registration required) to submit their request to join the Carelon network. It can take up to 60 business days for a provider network enrollment to be completed.  If providers have additional questions, they can contact Carelon by email at [provider.inquiry@carelon.com](mailto:provider.inquiry@carelon.com "provider.inquiry@carelon.com"). Providers can also call Carelon Member Services at [844-398-0314](tel:+18443980314) (TTY 711), available 24/7, for help. **Who can I contact with additional questions?** You can contact Sutter Health Plan Customer Service at [855-315-5800](tel:+18553155800) or by TTY at [855-830-3500](tel:+18558303500). Customer Service is available 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday. You can also call Carelon Member Services at [844-398-0314](tel:18443980314) (TTY 711), available 24/7, for help. Providers can also contact Carelon by email at [provider.inquiry@carelon.com](mailto:provider.inquiry@carelon.com). We’re Here to Help  Customer Service can help answer your questions about health plans, benefits, enrollment, portal access and more. ### Message Us  Submit a secure message and we’ll contact you within five business days. [Complete the Form](https://feedback.sutterhealth.org/f/136895/8368 "Complete the Form") ### Call Us  Call 855-315-5800 or TTY 855-830-3500, weekdays: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm. Call [855-315-5800](tel:+18553155800) ### Email Us  Email shpserviceteam@sutterhealth.org with details about how we can help you. [Email Now](mailto:shpserviceteam@sutterhealth.org) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","name":"Carelon Behavioral Health of California, Inc. (Carelon) at Sutter Health","description":"Introducing our new behavioral health plan partner, Carelon Behavioral Health of California, Inc. 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