Date: March 04, 2026

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Type of Meeting: Virtual via Microsoft Teams

Members Present: 12 MMAC Members Present

DHCS Staff: Michelle Baass, Director; Tyler Sadwith, State Medicaid Director and Chief Deputy Director for Health Care Programs; Tracy Arnold, Assistant Director; Krissi Khokhobashvili, Deputy Director, Office of Communications; Yingjia Huang, Deputy Director, Health Care Benefits & Eligibility; Michael Freeman, Assistant Deputy Director, Health Care Benefits & Eligibility; Julie Hudman, Assistant Deputy Director, Behavioral Health; Pamela Riley, Chief Health Equity Officer & Assistant Deputy Director; Brian Hansen, Policy Advisor to the Directorate.

Additional Information: Please refer to the PowerPoint presentation used during the meeting for additional context and details.

Agenda:

Time	Content
5:30 – 5:40	Welcome
5:40 – 5:50	Director’s Update
5:50 – 7:00	DHCS Presentation: Communications Plan for Work and Community Engagement Requirements
7:00 – 7:25	Group Discussion and Member Comments
7:25 – 7:30	Closing Remarks and Next Steps

Welcome and Opening

Type of Action: Information

Presenter: Maria Romero-Mora

Discussion Topics:

• MMAC members were welcomed, and the language justice and community norms were reviewed to remind participants of engagement and participation practices.
• Participants were asked to disclose any conflicts of interest; none were identified.

Director’s Update

Type of Action: Information

Presenter: Michelle Baass

Discussion Topics:

• DHCS shared a short update on the fiscal year 2026-27 state budget, which includes new limits to dental benefits for people with Unsatisfactory Immigration Status (UIS) starting on July 1, 2026. DHCS will send notifications and conduct outreach to affected members. More details will be posted on DHCS member webpages.
• A member asked to define immigrants:
  • DHCS said that for the purposes of this new change, UIS refers to undocumented individuals without permanent or citizenship status.

DHCS Presentation: Communications Plan for Work and Community Engagement Requirements

Type of Action: Information

Presenter: Krissi Khokhobashvili and Yingjia Huang

Discussion Topics:

• DHCS provided a refresher on the upcoming work and community engagement requirements and outlined the overall communications approach, with a focus on early, simple, and repeated messaging to help members understand upcoming changes.
• Key points included:
  • DHCS is developing a member‑focused communication strategy using plain language and multiple channels, such as mail, text messages, and outreach through trusted partners.
  • A phased rollout is planned so messaging begins well before members must take any action, with materials designed to reduce confusion and ensure consistency across counties, health plans, providers, and community organizations.
  • Initial insights from the texting campaign were shared, noting strong member engagement, particularly among non-English Medi-Cal threshold languages.
  • DHCS is preparing a comprehensive communications toolkit that will include flyers, FAQs, and digital assets intended for broad use across the statewide network.
  • DHCS highlighted the importance of accessibility, including multilingual materials, visual supports, and low‑literacy formats to ensure members understand what is coming and what steps they may need to take.

Group Discussion

Type of Action: Breakout Room Discussions

Presenter: Krissi Khokhobashvili and Yingjia Huang

Discussion Topics:

Do you have any initial reactions to the presentation?

General Reactions

• Overall, members responded positively to the presentation and appreciated that DHCS is prioritizing early outreach.
• Members felt the information was clear and helpful in understanding upcoming changes.
• Several members emphasized the importance of sharing their specific recertification date with members, noting it is not always easy to find.

Concerns Raised

• Members discussed postal service delays, expressing concern that the mail system is slower and may impact timely receipt of notices.
• There was strong support for multi‑channel communication (mail, email, text, etc.) to avoid members missing critical information.
• Some members expressed confusion about who to contact for help (Medi‑Cal, Social Security Administration, Ombudsman), noting they are sometimes bounced between different entities.
• Members requested clearer instructions for required forms, suggesting the DHCS/Medi‑Cal website could mirror the clarity of DMV instructions.
• Questions were raised about how DHCS will ensure that members will understand the new requirements.
• Members encouraged DHCS to include schools or universities as trusted messengers to communicate these changes.

How and when would you like to receive this information?

Preferences for Communication Methods

• Many members shared they are experiencing information overload, especially via text messages.
• Some questioned whether members must opt in to receive text messages and whether texts will be sent consistently.
• Members emphasized that text messages should link to information that can be verified elsewhere to avoid feeling like a scam.
• Several members preferred detailed, personalized communication, including the ability to check their specific renewal status and required steps.
• Some members preferred email or mail over text, citing trust concerns.
• Others stated that text messages are effective when they contain a clear call to action and are paired with mailed letters.
• A suggestion was made to allow members to choose their communication preference (email, text, or mail).
• The sooner the better to support populations that must make corrections because of special circumstances.

Additional Suggestions

• Some members suggested using a visual cue (e.g., an emoji) in urgent “last chance” texts.
• Flyers in community locations, along with text and email, were recommended for broader reach.
• A question was raised about whether health plan (e.g., Inland Empire Health Plan) app notifications could be used for reminders.
• Members expressed a desire to receive information as early as possible to prevent delays and coverage gaps.

Who do you consider to be the best messenger to tell you about upcoming changes to your Medi-Cal eligibility?

• Schools (K–12 and colleges) were repeatedly identified as trusted sources of information.
• Members expressed high trust in doctor, dental, and eye‑care offices, noting these are reliable places for receiving updates.
• Community clinics, consumer centers for advocacy, and legal aid offices were identified as strong community partners for sharing information.
  • One member noted that not all community clinics will post materials, depending on capacity and policies.
• Pharmacies and Medi‑Cal Rx‑related locations were also suggested as effective outreach points.
• Members also emphasized trust in Enhanced Care Management lead care managers due to their established relationship with members, expressing the personal connection.
• County workers were highlighted as trusted messengers for those who rely on county interactions.
• Resource centers were mentioned as common and trusted places where people often receive important information.

Member Comments

Type of Action: Information

Presenter: Maria Romero-Mora

Discussion Topics:

• No general comments were made.

Closing Remarks

Type of Action: Information

Presenter: Michelle Baass

Discussion Topics:

• Director Baass thanked the group and shared that all MMAC members will be added to the weekly stakeholder newsletter. She also thanked Jenny for participating in the all DHCS team meeting and for speaking on behalf of the MMAC about her experience. Michelle further acknowledged Jenny, Christian, and Ann Marie for their participation in the Voices and Vision Council meeting. Members were encouraged to refer potential candidates for future MMAC membership.

Meeting Adjournment

Name of Person Who Adjourned the Meeting: Michelle Baass

Time Adjourned: 7:30 p.m. PST