There are several different kinds of Medi-Cal: 

• "Full Scope" is the most common type and pays for services in full. 
• "Share of Cost" Medi-Cal has a set monthly amount that you must pay before Medi-Cal covers your care.
• "Restricted" Medi-Cal pays for some services but not others. Common restrictions include Pregnancy and Emergency coverage.

The best way to know which type you have is to contact your eligibility worker at Department of Social Services or visit the Department of Social Service's Medi-Cal page.

We will work with you to set up a sliding scale payment plan if you do not have Full Scope Medi-Cal. See Client Cost Explanation and Agreement or Explicación de Costo y Acuerdo for more detail. 

Updated October 17, 2025:

During walk-in clinic hours, you will receive a screening in a one-to-one individual session with a qualified Licensed Psychiatric Technician or Clinician. The purpose of this screening is to determine if you may be eligible for services. After the screening subsequent appointments or assessments may be set.

Please note that all walk-ins are on a first-come, first-served basis, with no appointment necessary. If there are too many people before you, you may be asked to schedule another appointment via telephone, Zoom for HealthCare, or in-person.

Current Walk-in schedule, updated October 17, 2025:

San Luis Obispo Clinic	Arroyo Grande Clinic
2178 Johnson Ave. San Luis Obispo, CA  93401 (805) 781-4700	1350 East Grand Avenue Arroyo Grande, CA  93420 (805) 474-2164
Adults 18+ years old	Adults 18+ years old
Tuesday 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. Thursday 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.	Monday 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 11 a.m.

 

County Behavioral Health Managed Care staff will provide you with appropriate community treatment referrals.

Please call (800) 838-1381. The Behavioral Health Department’s Managed Care line operates 24/7 and provides access to a mobile Mental Health Evaluation Team that can assess your psychiatric emergency to determine whether inpatient treatment is immediately necessary or provide you with referrals to other community support until your first outpatient mental health appointment.
 

Your mental health assessment will help to determine whether you are eligible for treatment services. If so, treatment recommendations will be provided that may include an appointment with a psychiatrist if appropriate. You will be scheduled for the next available outpatient psychiatrist appointment at the clinic nearest to where you live.