Overview

Through implementation of required data sharing policies and procedures, Behavioral Health Plans (BHPs), Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) Counties, and Managed Care Plans (MCPs) are advancing the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) vision for a more connected and coordinated Medi-Cal delivery system. By enabling secure, real time, and bidirectional exchange of the minimum necessary member information with one another and with contracted providers, community-based organizations (CBOs), and other Medi-Cal partners, organizations can support whole-person care, improve care coordination and transitions, facilitate referrals and closed-loop referrals, and ensure members receive the right care at the right time.

Important Updates

DHCS’s Real Time Behavioral Health Data Sharing policy, outlined in Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN) 26-013 and All-Plan Letter (APL) 26-004, clarifies and establishes requirements for BHPs, DMC Counties, and MCPs to support the secure, real time, and bidirectional exchange of behavioral health data.

Key Documents

• Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN) 26-013 (March 2026) Outlines real time data sharing requirements for BHPs and DMC Counties. The BHIN, along with the accompanying APL 26‑004, provides clarifying and updated responsibilities for counties to support the secure and real time exchange of physical and behavioral health information with Medi-Cal partners to facilitate timely care coordination. These responsibilities include sharing admission, discharge, and event notifications with each other in real time; using the Authorization to Share Confidential Member Information (ASCMI) Form as the standardized release of information form to share sensitive information, as needed; and sharing data necessary for state and federal reporting.  
• All Plan Letter (APL) 26-004 (March 2026) Outlines real time data sharing requirements for MCPs. The APL, along with the accompanying BHIN 26-013, provides clarifying and updated responsibilities for MCPs to support the secure and real time exchange of physical and behavioral health information with Medi-Cal partners to facilitate timely care coordination. These responsibilities include sharing admission, discharge, and event notifications with each other in real time; using the ASCMI Form as the standardized release of information form to share sensitive information, as needed; and sharing data necessary for state and federal reporting.

Informational Webinars

CalAIM All-Comer Webinar: Real Time Behavioral Health Data Sharing BHIN & APL (April 2026)

• Presentation Sides
• Transcript
• Recording

All-Comer ASCMI & DSAG Housing/Reentry Toolkit Webinar – July 29, 2025

• Slides (Note: Some color formats from the original presentation have been changed due to DHCS requirements.)
• Transcript
• Recording

Additional Resources

• CalAIM Data Sharing Authorization Guidance 2.1
• California Data Exchange Framework
• The Data Sharing Authorization Guidance “Medi-Cal Housing Support Services” and “Reentry Initiative” Toolkits
• CalAIM ASCMI Initiative
• State Health Information Guidance (SHIG) – CDII

Resources for:

• Medi-Cal Members
• Managed Care Plans and Behavioral Health Plans/Counties
• Community Based Organizations and Providers

Questions and Comments

Contact DHCS with questions or comments on the Real Time Behavioral Health Data Sharing at DHCSDataSharing@dhcs.ca.gov.