SMAA Weekly Update #7 February 21, 2014

School Based Medi-Cal Administrative Activities Implementation Plan for FY 2014-2015

Due to concerns raised by school districts and other organizations, the California Health and Human Services Agency and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) have made a request to the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to delay the implementation of the revised School-Based Medi-Cal Administrative Activities (SMAA) program implementation plan effective date, from July 1, 2014 to July 1, 2015 and allow for one additional year of interim claiming.   DHCS will inform you of the outcome of such request as soon as we hear back.

School Based Medi-Cal Administrative Activity Stakeholder Forum

DHCS hosted the first SMAA Stakeholder Forum on Wednesday, February 12, 2014. The discussion revolved around the implementation of the revised SMAA Implementation Plan as well as ways to continue to improve communication between all stakeholders.  Based on suggestions from the forum, DHCS is working on the following:

• SMAA FAQs
  DHCS is developing a document that sets out stakeholder questions and DHCS responses. We have received multiple questions about the reasonableness test criteria, timeline of cash flow for deferred invoices and the revised SMAA implementation plan.  These questions and our responses will be included in the FAQs.  The document will be placed on the SMAA webpage and will be updated frequently.  
  
• Community College Workgroup
  DHCS is planning a workgroup to address issues specific to community colleges.
  
• Appeals Process
  DHCS developed a draft appeals process that was shared at the forum.  The intent of the appeals process is to provide LEAs/LECs/LGAs with a defined process to appeal administrative decisions or actions taken by a LEC or LGA to DHCS and to allow LECs and LGAs to request formal instruction from DHCS regarding an issue with an LEA.   The appeals process will be placed on the webpage so stakeholders can provide input and comments.
  

DHCS is planning to hold another forum in March 2014.  Please check back for updates and details.