Smile, California Campaign for Medi-Cal Dental Services Social media campaigns to raise awareness about the Medi-Cal Dental Program and share important resources with Medi-Cal members begin in April. The campaigns will remind members that dental services are covered by Medi-Cal and inform them about transportation services that are available for dental appointments.
Additionally, a Smile, California, Smile Alert will continue promoting the
Provider Testimonial Video series, reminding members that the deadline for the required Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment is on May 31, and recognizing March as National Nutrition Month. Sign up for our
Smile Alerts to stay informed about the Smile, California campaign.
From April 3 through June 2, Smile, California will promote the online 2023 Member Customer Service Satisfaction survey. The survey is available in 19 languages and is intended to collect feedback from members on their experiences with Medi-Cal customer service representatives. The survey will be published to the Smile, California and Medi-Cal Dental website and promoted in the April Member Bulletin, in a Smile Alert, on social media, and via a homepage banner on SmileCalifornia.org.
Join Our Team
DHCS is hiring! DHCS has an immediate opening for
Chief of the Selection and Recruitment Branch within the Human Resources Division. This position provides direction in the development and administration of annual department-wide recruitment plans, marketing, and a variety of recruitment activities designed to promote DHCS as an employer of choice.
DHCS is also hiring a
Chief of Medi-Cal Eligibility Division (MCED). This position provides leadership, direction, and coordination of eligibility policy and operations among DHCS, California counties, and the federal government regarding Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.
DHCS is also hiring for our fiscal, human resources, legal, auditing, health policy, and information technology teams. For more information, please visit the
CalCareers website.
DHCS is dedicated to preserving and improving the overall health and well-being of all Californians. DHCS' mission is to provide the most vulnerable residents with equitable access to affordable, integrated, high-quality health care, and is currently transforming the Medi-Cal program to make sure it provides the care Californians need to live healthier, happier lives.
Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars
California's Reproductive Health Access Section 1115 Demonstration (CalRHAD): Second Public Hearing
On April 3, from 9 to 10 a.m., DHCS will host the
second (advance registration required) public hearing to solicit stakeholder comments on a proposed CalRHAD Medicaid Section 1115 demonstration. On March 16, DHCS launched 30-day public and Tribal public comment periods to solicit feedback on a proposed CalRHAD Medicaid Section 1115 demonstration. DHCS is seeking approval from CMS to provide competitive grants to reproductive health providers to enhance capacity and access to sexual and reproductive health services, promote the sustainability of California's reproductive health provider safety net, and benefit individuals enrolled in Medi-Cal and other individuals who currently face barriers to such access. Additional information is available on the
CalRHAD webpage.
Nursing Facility Financing Reform Webinar
On April 12, from 3 to 4 p.m., DHCS will host a
stakeholder webinar (advance registration required) to discuss the development of the Skilled Nursing Facility Workforce Standards Program and provide updates on other nursing facility financing programs authorized by Assembly Bill 186 (Chapter 46, Statutes of 2022). Additional information is available on the
Nursing Facility Financing Reform (AB 186) webpage.
ECM and Community Supports Data Guidance Webinar
On April 13, from 12 to 1 p.m., DHCS will host an
ECM and Community Supports webinar (advance registration required) to release new data guidance standards supporting the exchange of information between MCPs and Community Supports providers. DHCS will also share updates to existing ECM and Community Supports CalAIM data guidance, based upon stakeholder feedback during the first year of implementation.
Sharing information among MCPs, providers, counties, community-based organizations, and DHCS is crucial for the successful implementation and long-term adoption of ECM and Community Supports. This webinar will offer MCPs, current and prospective ECM and Community Supports providers, and other interested stakeholders the opportunity to learn more about ECM and Community Supports data exchange, ask questions, and be informed about key changes for 2023.
In Case You Missed It
California Awards Additional $88.5 Million to Help Transform Medi-Cal
On March 24, DHCS
announced awards totaling $88.5 million to help local organizations build their capacity and infrastructure in support of a more coordinated, person-centered, and equitable Medi-Cal system for all Californians. These funds further the vision of California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM), California's long-term commitment to transform and strengthen Medi-Cal, and will be used to develop and deploy the Medi-Cal
Enhanced Care Management benefit and
Community Supports services statewide.
PATH Technical Assistance (TA) Marketplace Round 2 Vendor Application Now Open
On March 28, DHCS opened the Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) TA Marketplace Round 2 vendor application window. The PATH TA Marketplace is a virtual marketplace for TA services, a one-stop-shop website where entities can access no-cost TA resources from curated and approved vendors to help build their capacity to transform Medi-Cal. Organizations interested in applying to qualify as a TA Marketplace vendor are strongly encouraged to join an
informational webinar (advance registration required) on April 6, from 1 to 2 p.m. to learn more about the application process. The deadline to apply to qualify as a vendor is April 28, 2023.
Please visit the
TA Marketplace vendor webpage for more information. For questions, please email
ta-marketplace@ca-path.com.
DHCS Releases Hospital and Skilled Nursing Facility COVID-19 Worker Retention Payments
On March 28, March 30, and April 5, DHCS is issuing Hospital and Skilled Nursing Facility COVID-19 Worker Retention Payments (WRP) totaling more than $1 billion. DHCS will disperse funds to approved Covered Entities (CEs), Covered Services Employers (CSEs), Physician Group Entities (PGEs), and Independent Physicians, representing more than 832,000 total workers. CEs, CSEs, PGEs, and Independent Physicians will have 60 days from the receipt of funds to release payments to approved workers. Requirements and guidance are posted on the
WRP webpage to support entities in the overall distribution process. Please email any questions to
wrp@dhcs.ca.gov.
Webinar on Governor Newsom's Proposal to Modernize California's Behavioral Health System
On March 29, the California Health & Human Services Agency, Department of Managed Health Care, and DHCS held a webinar to walk through the Governor's proposal to modernize California's behavioral health system. The proposal builds on the Administrations' previous investments and policy reforms to re-envision how the state treats mental health and substance use disorders. More information and the presentation are available on the Modernizing our Behavioral Health Initiative webpage.
