September 23, 2026

Top News

California Releases Guidance on New Federal Public Charge Rule

On September 18, the federal government’s new Public Charge Rule took effect. Public charge is a test that immigration officials use to decide whether a noncitizen is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for support. It can apply when some immigrants seek entry to the United States or apply for a green card. It does not apply to most immigrants already in the United States. The California Health and Human Services Agency released resources explaining the new rule, including what it means and how it may affect individuals and families. Additional materials will be added as new information is released. Californians with questions or concerns are encouraged to review these resources, seek information from trusted sources, and consult qualified immigration legal service providers for advice specific to their situation.

The new rule changes how the federal government considers certain public benefits in public charge determinations. The rule does not apply to everyone, and its impact depends on individual circumstances. Californians should rely on verified information to understand whether and how the rule may apply to them and remain cautious of misinformation and scams. Californians can visit the Public Charge website for information, updates, and resources, and can find a list of nonprofit organizations qualified to provide immigration legal services through the California Department of Social Services. California remains committed to providing accurate, accessible information so people can make informed decisions for themselves and their families.

Program Updates

Scaling Dyadic Care Grant Program – Request for Applications

On September 16, DHCS released a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Scaling Dyadic Care Grant Program, a two-year statewide effort under the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) to expand dyadic care, a Medi-Cal reimbursable benefit that integrates behavioral health services for young children and their caregivers within pediatric primary care. The program provides funding and technical assistance to help providers build clinical, operational, and billing infrastructure for sustainable delivery of dyadic services. On September 23, from 12 to 1 p.m. PDT, DHCS will hold an informational webinar (advance registration required) for Medi-Cal providers interested in learning more about the RFA. Please email any questions to scalingdyadic@cibhs.org.

Updated Enhanced Care Management Policy Guide

On September 16, DHCS released an updated CalAIM Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Policy Guide. ECM provides whole-person, community-based care management to Medi-Cal members with complex needs. The updated guide strengthens safeguards to ensure appropriate, accountable delivery and sets clearer expectations to make sure services fit each member’s needs. See below for key updates. Email your questions to EnhancedCareManagement@dhcs.ca.gov.

• Managed care plan (MCP) Oversight. Expanded guidance on MCP responsibilities, including program integrity, credentialing, network adequacy, timely member transfers, and utilization management requirements.

• Clarified service expectations. Members enrolled in ECM should receive an average of three or more encounters per month, and MCP payments to providers should reflect the intensity of services delivered.

• Reporting changes. The Quarterly Implementation Monitoring Report was retired on August 14, 2026. ECM and Community Supports reporting will now be submitted monthly using a streamlined electronic format.

Expanding Behavioral Health Services

On September 16, DHCS released the Community-Defined Evidence Practices: Advancing Responsive Care for Children, Youth, and Families Report. This publication is part of the CYBHI’s Scaling Evidence-Based and Community-Defined Evidence Practices (EBP/CDEP) Grant Program, and highlights 82 grantees delivering culturally grounded, community-led behavioral health services across California. The report underscores how lived experience, community trust, and culturally rooted care are expanding access to behavioral health support for children, youth, and families, particularly in communities that have historically faced barriers to care. To learn more and access the full report, visit the Evidence-Based and Community-Defined Evidence Practices Grants webpage.

Join Our Team

DHCS is seeking an experienced licensed legal professional to fill the role of Senior Assistant Chief Counsel for the Fiscal, Financing, and Privacy Branch within the Office of Legal Services (OLS). The Senior Assistant Chief Counsel:

• Oversees the development and application of legal advice and policy to support DHCS fiscal, financial, and privacy-related matters.

• Provides guidance on financing, rate setting, and third-party collections for the Medi-Cal program.

• Leads branch attorneys and provides strategic direction to ensure branch activities align with OLS priorities, Department legal practices, and organizational objectives.

Applications must be submitted by October 5. Also, DHCS is hiring for its Civil Rights, Health Care Financing, and other teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars

DHCS posts upcoming public meetings on its Calendar of Events. DHCS provides free assistive services, including language interpretation, real-time captioning, and meeting materials in alternate formatting. To request services, please email the Office of Civil Rights at civilrights@dhcs.ca.gov at least ten working days before the meeting.

Stakeholder Advisory Committee Ad Hoc Meeting

On September 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host an ad hoc hybrid Stakeholder Advisory Committee/Behavioral Health-Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting (advance registration required for online and in-person participation) at 1501 Capitol Avenue (First Floor Conference Room 71.1316). The meeting will focus on the transition of Medi-Cal members with unsatisfactory immigration status to Medi-Cal fee-for-service. The agenda and meeting materials will be posted as the meeting date approaches. For more information, please email SACinquiries@dhcs.ca.gov or BehavioralHealthSAC@dhcs.ca.gov.

Behavioral Health Services Act Prevention Plan Webinar

On September 23, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. PDT, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will hold a webinar to provide updates on the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) Population-Based Prevention plan, budget allocations and priorities, RFAs, and associated implementation strategies. A live Q&A session is included. This webinar is open to all community and behavioral health implementation partners. Live ASL and Spanish interpretation will be provided. For comments or questions, please email BHSAinfo@cdph.ca.gov.

ORP Enrollment Requirements Town Hall

On September 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host a second town hall webinar to present the planned timeline for enforcing ordering, referring, and prescribing (ORP) enrollment requirements across pharmacy (Medi-Cal Rx), Medi-Cal fee-for-service (CA-MMIS), and behavioral health (Short-Doyle) billing systems. Federal law requires providers who order, refer, or prescribe services for Medi-Cal members to be enrolled in Medi-Cal and identified on claims using a valid Type 1 National Provider Identifier (NPI). The webinar will review this requirement, introduce the phased approach for implementing claim edits, and highlight key enforcement dates. To ensure responsible implementation of the ORP requirements, DHCS is adopting a measured, data-driven approach that emphasizes outreach, provider education, and early enrollment support ahead of full claim edit enforcement.

Coverage Ambassador Webinar Series

On September 24, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host a Coverage Ambassador Train-the-Trainer webinar to provide an overview of six-month renewals and more information to help members prepare for upcoming H.R. 1 changes (advanced registration required). Live captions will be available. Coverage Ambassadors are trusted messengers who help raise awareness about Medi-Cal benefits, enrollment opportunities, and new initiatives aimed at building a healthier California for all. Visit the Coverage Ambassador website for more information, including how to subscribe to receive regular updates, newsletters, and webinar reminders.

Fee-for-Service Transition Resources and Webinar

On September 30, from 10 to 11 a.m. PDT, DHCS will host an all-comer webinar to provide an overview of the January 1, 2027, transition of Medi-Cal members with unsatisfactory immigration status from managed care to Medi-Cal fee-for-service and key steps for provider and partner readiness. In addition, DHCS published new online resources to support Medi-Cal members, providers, and partners, including plain-language member-focused webpage, stakeholder transition page, fact sheet, member FAQ, provider FAQ, and updates to the Find Doctors and Services tool to help members locate fee-for-service providers.

Hospice Benefit Stakeholder Quarterly Meeting

On October 6, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. PDT, DHCS will hold the Hospice Benefit Stakeholder Quarterly Meeting to provide key updates on the transition of the Medi Cal Hospice Attestation Form to the Medi Cal provider portal, effective September 1, 2026, continued enforcement of the five-day attestation submission requirement, upcoming Medi-Cal Provider Manual updates, and All Plan Letter policy updates. These quarterly meetings offer stakeholders an opportunity to review important policy and procedural changes related to Medi-Cal fee-for-service hospice services. For questions or additional information, please email MCHospiceClerk@DHCS.ca.gov.

Behavioral Health Data Sharing Learning Collaborative

On October 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the first session of the Behavioral Health Data Sharing Learning Collaborative. This voluntary technical assistance series supports county behavioral health plan (BHP)/MCP dyads in implementing real-time data sharing and adopting the Authorization to Share Confidential Member Information (ASCMI) form by January 1, 2027, as required by Behavioral Health Information Notice 26-013 and All Plan Letter 26-004. Only one individual from each dyad must sign up. If your BHP/MCP dyad is not yet registered, please use the County and Managed Care Plan Behavioral Health Data Sharing Learning Collaborative Registration Form. DHCS is finalizing session details and will share additional information as the date approaches. For questions, please email DHCSDataSharing@dhcs.ca.gov.