Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Contracts Go-Live
September 1, 2023
DHCS has provided “go-live" decisions to all Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) scheduled to assume operations on January 1, 2024, under the new MCP contract that requires all MCPs to advance health equity, quality, access, accountability, and transparency. These new contracts will serve approximately 99 percent of all Medi-Cal members. This change is part of California's transformation of Medi-Cal to ensure members can access the care they need to live healthier lives. DHCS is developing webpages and materials targeted specifically to Medi-Cal members and providers that will offer more information, scheduled for posting in September. Check the
MCP Transition page for details.
Report Release: Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports 2022 Implementation Report
August 3, 2023
DHCS has released its
Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports 2022 Implementation Report. This report summarizes ECM and Community Supports implementation trends and data from calendar year 2022. It is based on Quarterly Implementation Monitoring Report submissions as of June 30, 2023. The report narrative includes qualitative information about the phased rollout of these programs and efforts underway to support growth in ECM and Community Supports going forward.
DHCS Releases Updated Implementation Data for ECM and Community Supports
April 27, 2023
Today, DHCS released
updated implementation data for Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports, which launched in 2022. The data highlights early implementation activity (January 2022 through September 2022) and growth in provider capacity and member enrollment for both programs, particularly among historically underserved populations. As California continues to strengthen its capacity to deliver ECM and Community Supports services, more members will benefit from the state's efforts to transform Medi-Cal, expand how and where members receive care, and build an equitable healthcare system for all.
California Obtains Federal Approval to Expand Medicaid Services for Justice-Involved Individuals
January 26, 2023
On January 26, 2023, California became the first state in the nation approved to offer a targeted set of Medicaid services to youth and adults in state prisons, county jails, and youth correctional facilities for up to 90 days prior to release. Through a federal Medicaid 1115 demonstration waiver announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), DHCS will partner with state agencies, counties, and community-based organizations to establish a coordinated community reentry process that will assist people leaving incarceration connect to the physical and behavioral health services they need prior to release.
The goals of the
Medi-Cal Justice-Involved initiative include increasing and continuing Medi-Cal coverage; improving coordination and communication among correctional systems, Medicaid systems, and community-based providers; and providing appropriate health care interventions at earlier opportunities. This should result in reduced gaps in care, improved health outcomes, and prevention of unnecessary admissions to inpatient hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes, and emergency departments, and reduce overdose, suicide, homelessness, and recidivism. The initiative will help California address the unique and considerable health care needs of justice-involved individuals, improve health outcomes, deliver care more efficiently, and advance health equity across the state.
Full press release
Joint Statement on the 2024 Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Contracts
December 30, 2022
On December 30, 2022, delivering on its promise to transform the health system to become person-centered, equity focused, and data driven,
DHCS joined with five commercial managed care plans to announce an agreement to deliver Medi-Cal services in 21 counties across the state starting in January 2024.
DHCS Releases Early Implementation Data for ECM and Community Supports
December 22, 2022
On December 22, 2022, DHCS released early implementation data for Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports, which launched in 2022. Data show the early reach of ECM and Community Supports in January through June, and highlight growing member enrollment in both programs, particularly among historically underserved populations. As California continues to strengthen its capacity to deliver ECM and Community Supports services, more members will benefit from the state's efforts to transform Medi-Cal, expand how and where members receive care, and build an equitable healthcare system for all.
DHCS Releases the California Behavioral Health Community-Based Continuum (CalBH-CBC) Demonstration Concept Paper
November 15, 2022
On November 15, 2022, DHCS released the
CalBH-CBC Demonstration concept paper, describing its proposed approach to the Demonstration.
DHCS is pleased to share this concept paper and in the months ahead will work with stakeholders to refine and revise the approach to the CalBH-CBC Demonstration with the intent of submitting a formal demonstration application to the federal government in 2023. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on the concept paper through written comments and/or by participating in forthcoming public forums and advisory groups. Stakeholders also will have the opportunity to respond to and comment on a complete draft of the demonstration application before it is submitted to CMS. Learn more at the
CalBH-CBC Demonstration web page.
DHCS will accept public comment on the concept paper through January 13, 2023. Please submit feedback to
CalBHCBC@dhcs.ca.gov and include “CalBH-CBC Demonstration” in the subject line.
Implement County-Based Model Changes in the Medi-Cal Managed Care Program
November 4, 2022
On November 4, 2022, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) submitted requests to amend the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Section 1115 demonstration and Section 1915(b) waiver. DHCS is seeking the CalAIM Section 1115 and 1915(b) amendment approvals from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement county-based model changes in the Medi-Cal Managed Care (MCMC) program. Through the Section 1915(b) waiver amendment, DHCS also plans to add or update language on policies or programs in the approved CalAIM 1915(b) waiver, including to reflect the MCMC model changes in select counties and direct contracts with the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan available for enrollment of certain Medi-Cal beneficiary populations in select counties. The 30 day public comment and Tribal public comment periods to solicit feedback on proposed amendments to CalAIM Section 1115 demonstration and the Section 1915(b) waiver concluded on Monday, September 12. The following materials were shared for public comment:
More information can be found on the
CalAIM 1115 Demonstration & 1915(b) Waiver webpage.
