AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) internally funds the subspecialty referrals for patients using their AHF Healthcare Centers in Los Angeles County, CA. AHF utilizes their own provider networks wrap-around revenue such as 340b pharmacy savings, and internal clinical staff to keep your care a seamless patient experience. As this is an internally funded program by AHF, it is available for established patients of any of the AHF Healthcare Centers in Los Angeles County CA.

Administrative Oversight: Referral requests are sent internally to AHF's Care Management Division, Utilization Management (UM) department where it is reviewed to ensure the request is made directly from medical complications caused by, or resulting from, HIV/AIDS.

The Referral Loop: Licensed primary care providers submit referrals for subspecialty care. Once the complex consultations or procedures are complete, the program specialists submit their report and other medical data back to the AHF Primary Care Provider for ongoing primary care.

Scope of Coverage
Inclusions: The network comprises nearly 500 specialists covering outpatient subspecialty consultations, diagnostic testing, complex outpatient surgeries, and targeted therapeutic procedures.
Exclusions: The program strictly excludes inpatient hospital acute care and does not fund routine laboratory tests, which must be performed at the patient's primary clinic.
Condition Mandate: All approved specialty care must stem directly from medical complications caused by, or resulting from, the patient's HIV disease.

When a patient first enters the AHF system, to establish the primary care foundation required for referrals, they must bring the following documentation to their initial benefits appointment:

Valid Government ID: Driver's License, state ID or passport.

Proof of HIV Status: A laboratory report showing a positive Western Blot, a detectable viral load, or a signed official medical letter confirming diagnosis.

Proof of Residency: Utility bill, lease agreement, or official mail showing you live within the state or county service area (unhoused individuals can submit a letter from a shelter or caseworker.

Proof of Income: Recent Pay stubs, W-2 forms, tax returns, or a notarized letter of support showing your household income falls below the local limit.

Income limits in California: Your income cannot exceed the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Percentage of 500% $79,800.

If you are already enrolled at an AHF Healthcare Centers in Los Angeles County:
Talk to your main doctor: Tell your primary care provider about any new or worsening symptoms.

Keep your referral active: Remember that authorizations expire, so schedule your appointment right away.

Return to your main clinic: Go back to your primary doctor for all everyday health needs after your specialist visit. If you are not yet a patient in this program:


What to expect for your referral timeline Standard review time:
Once your primary clinic faxes the paperwork, the AHF authorization team typically takes 2 to 3 business days to process and approve standard routine requests.

Urgent or emergency cases: If your health issue meets criteria for emergent, critical or requires fast intervention, your doctor can mark the request as urgent to secure a same-day or next-day expedited approval.

When to follow up: If you have not heard from your primary clinic or received a text/call with your specialist's details within 5 business days, call your main clinic's referral coordinator to verify the status.

For people not receiving their care at an AHF Healthcare Center:
You must enroll at any of the AHF Healthcare Centers in Los Angeles County as a new patient.
You will need to provide eligibility criteria as shown under Criteria to qualify for Ryan White.
You will need to establish care with a AHF Primary Care Provider before you can be referred to a specialist under the AHF Subspecialty Process.