Behavioral health services provide help and support for people dealing with mental health issues and substance abuse. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult to get the behavioral health services that you need in San Bernadino County, due either to a lack of health insurance, or not knowing how to access the resources that exist in the community.
What Are Behavioral Health Services?
Behavioral health services focus on how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors affect your overall well-being. They address conditions like depression, and substance use disorder, as well as challenges like stress, relationship issues, and coping skills. They aim to improve both mental and physical health by supporting healthier behaviors and coping strategies.
Services include:
- Therapy or counseling
- Psychiatric care
- Substance use treatment
- Crisis intervention
Note that often, the terms behavioral health and mental health are used interchangeably because they are very similar. However, behavioral health is a broader term that includes mental health but also focuses on how your behaviors impact your overall health. This can involve things like substance use, stress management, sleep habits, eating patterns, and lifestyle choices.
Does Insurance Cover Behavioral Health Services?
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most health insurance plans, including plans like Medi-Cal, are required to include coverage for behavioral health services This coverage usually includes therapy, inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment, and substance use disorder treatment.
If you have insurance, you can go to your insurances company’s website or call their member services phone number to find behavioral health service providers near you.
Behavioral Health Services Covered by Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal covers a wide range of behavioral health services to support both mental health and substance use treatment. These services are considered essential health benefits and are available to eligible members when medically necessary.
Coverage includes:
Mental Health Services
Medi-Cal includes outpatient and inpatient mental health care, such as:
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Psychiatric evaluations and medication management
- Psychological testing and assessments
- Specialty mental health services for more serious conditions
Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Medi-Cal also covers treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, including:
- Outpatient counseling and treatment programs
- Intensive outpatient and residential treatment
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Detox services (including inpatient detox when medically necessary)
To find a provider, check your Medi-Cal managed care plan’s provider directory. Many residents in the San Bernadino area are enrolled in plans like Inland Empire Health Plan or L.A. Care Health Plan, and each plan keeps an updated list of in-network doctors, clinics, and specialists. These directories are easy to search online and allow you to filter by location, provider type, and language preferences.
The California Department of Health Care Services also offers tools and information to help you understand your benefits and find participating providers.
Qualifying for Medi-Cal
If you don’t have Medi-Cal, you can review the eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.
In 2026, Medi-Cal income limits are as follows:
- For one person, the limit is 138% of the FPL, which is $21,597 annually. For each additional family member, $7,500 is added to the limit. That means that for a family of two the limit is $29,187, and for a family of four, it is $44,367.
- For children 19 and under, the family income limit is 266% of FPL for a family of one, which is $41,629 per year. For a family of four, the limit is $85,519 per year.
- For pregnant women, income limits may be higher (213% FPL) for pregnancy-related coverage.
As of January 1. 2026, the Medi-Cal asset limits are $130,000 for persons enrolled in specific programs that require an asset test, with an additional $65,000 added for each individual in the household. Most modified adjusted gross income (MAGI)-based Medi-Cal programs, which include coverage for adults ages 19–64, children, and pregnant women, are not subject to asset limits. Eligibility for these groups is based strictly on income and household size.
Immigration status eligibility rules also apply.
What If You Don’t Qualify for Med-Cal or Other Insurance?
If you don’t have insurance, you can still access behavioral health services through community health centers like Health Service Alliance in San Bernadino County.
Community health centers are community-based healthcare providers that receive federal funding to provide affordable healthcare services to underserved and low-income populations, regardless of ability to pay. These health centers are supported and regulated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Community health centers provide a host of services, including primary care, preventive care, chronic disease management, mental and behavioral health services, substance use treatment, and sometimes dental and vision care. Many centers also offer assistance enrolling in insurance programs like Medicaid or Medicare.
Community health centers have a sliding fee scale, meaning that the cost of care is adjusted based on a patient’s income and family size. This allows people without insurance and a low income to receive care at reduced costs.
In Closing
Behavioral health services are available in San Bernadino County, and nearly everyone can qualify for services, even without insurance. If you or someone you know needs care and is worried about cost, call our Euclid Community Health Center at 840-237-3344. The center is located at 600 N Euclid Ave. Ste. 202 Upland, CA 91786. At Health Service Alliance, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized, and accessible care regardless of your ability to pay.
