Providers & Pharmacies

Providers for the ACE program are doctors and other medical professionals based at eight Primary Care Provider (PCP) clinics in San Mateo County. The clinics are either part of the San Mateo Medical Center clinic network, NorthEast Medical Services or Ravenswood. This means that services from other hospitals in San Mateo County and outside of the County, including emergency services, are not covered by ACE.

If you require care from a provider outside of the ACE PCP clinic network, you need to get a referral from your ACE primary care provider. The referral also has to be approved by HSPM before you see that provider.

Primary Care Provider (PCP) clinics

As an ACE participant, you will choose or be assigned to a PCP clinic. This is where you will go for care with your PCP, who will lead your care team. If you need to see a specialist, they will give you a referral. 

If you are assigned to or chose

San Mateo Medical Center

Call the New Patient Connection Center at 650-372-3200.

If you are assigned to or chose

North East Medical Services or Ravenswood

Call the provider directly to set up your first PCP appointment.

To choose a PCP, see the list of ACE clinics and follow the instructions.

Pharmacy network

Prescriptions are covered only if they are filled at a network pharmacy linked to your primary care provider (PCP) clinic. Your prescription will not be approved at a pharmacy that is not on your clinic’s list.

If your prescription is denied at the pharmacy, call your doctor. Your doctor needs to request a prior authorization from HPSM to get coverage for that medicine by filling out the Pharmacy Prior Authorization Request Form and faxing it to 650-829-2045. Your physician’s approval is required.

If your assigned PCP clinic is part of the San Mateo Medical Center network (except Coastside Clinic), you can go to any pharmacy that is in the SMMC pharmacy network.


If you are assigned to North East Medical Services (NEMS), Coastside Clinic, or Ravenswood Family Health Center, your prescriptions are accepted only at the PCP linked pharmacies.