DHCS Stakeholder News - April 7, 2023
Program Updates
Termination of COVID-19 Flexibilities for Family PACT and Updated Client Enrollment Policy
On March 26, 2020, DHCS published
guidance that allowed Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment (Family PACT) providers to enroll and recertify clients through telehealth or other virtual/telephonic communication methods during the federally-declared COVID-19 PHE. This flexibility is temporary and is set to end upon termination of the PHE on May 11, 2023.
In preparation for the end of the PHE, DHCS updated the client enrollment policy, allowing Family PACT providers to continue enrolling and recertifying clients through synchronous or telephonic modalities post-PHE. The draft policy was open for public comment, and on April 14, the final client enrollment policy will be published in a
Family PACT Update Bulletin. Additionally, DHCS' responses to comments received will be published on the
Office of Family Planning webpage.
Effective for dates of service on or after May 12, 2023, Family PACT providers must adhere to the updated Client Eligibility section published in the Family PACT Policies, Procedures, and Billing Instructions manual.
Recovery Incentives Program: California's Contingency Management (CM) Benefit
DHCS approved Social Model Recovery Systems: Pasadena Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, the first site in the state to begin offering CM services as part of the
Recovery Incentives Program. Beginning the week of April 3, eligible Medi-Cal members can begin receiving CM services at this location. DHCS anticipates additional sites will be approved on a rolling basis as implementation training and readiness assessment requirements are completed. For questions, please email
RecoveryIncentives@dhcs.ca.gov.
Health Enrollment Navigators Project Funding Update
On April 7, 2023, DHCS sent a mandatory survey to
Health Enrollment Navigators Project partners to provide an opportunity for them to receive the remaining project funding. The survey asks partners to describe how they will use additional funds on two focused activities: Medi-Cal renewal activities, and targeted outreach efforts on the Medi-Cal ages 26-49 expansion for undocumented Californians and asset elimination. DHCS worked with key stakeholders on this funding opportunity and how DHCS would strategically utilize these funds. During the week of May 1, DHCS anticipates completing its review of proposals and awarding funding. Approved partners can then begin implementing their funded activities.
The Health Enrollment Navigators Project reconciled partner payments for the $59.72 million appropriated via Assembly Bill 74 (Chapter 23, Statutes of 2019), with a remaining balance of $3.38 million. Also, there is an unallocated balance of $226,000 from the $60 million appropriated via Senate Bill 154 (Chapter 43, Statutes of 2022), for a total of $3.6 million remaining to be allocated.
Additionally, DHCS posted the 35 individual partner work plans for public consumption on the
Project Partners Section webpage. These work plans will detail the specific actions, tasks, approaches, and target population groups for each partner's project activities. The partner's direct contact information aims to facilitate interaction and collaboration between partners and community-based organizations to maximize project efforts and impact.
Medi-Cal Reinstatements (Carr v. Becerra)
DHCS published
Medi-Cal Eligibility Division Information Letter (MEDIL) 23-18 regarding the reinstatement of eligibility for certain individuals enrolled in the Medicare Savings Program during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) from March 1, 2020, through March 31, 2023. This updated guidance for counties was issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
On April 5, DHCS restored the original Medicare Savings Program eligibility to 37,796 affected individuals based on refreshed data from the end of March. Medi-Cal members will remain in the same tier of Medicare Savings Program coverage until their continuous coverage unwinding Medi-Cal renewal is completed.
By the beginning of May, DHCS will inform the affected population about the reinstatement and provide information about the reimbursement of any Medicare Part A premiums paid out of pocket by reinstated members.
Upcoming Letter of Intent Grant Deadline for the Indian Health Program (IHP)
DHCS allocated $2.55 million from the available $11.4 million for a second round of the IHP Request for Application (RFA), which will allow new IHP applicants to apply for funding. Round two applicants may request up to $150,000 to support primary care recruitment and retention efforts for fiscal year 2022-23. Interested Indian health clinic corporations must submit a letter of intent no later than April 14. DHCS will only accept an RFA response from applicants who have submitted a letter of intent. Please email
TribalAffairs@dhcs.ca.gov to request a copy of the form. Applicants who received funding under round one of the RFA process are ineligible for additional funds.
Smile, California Campaign for Medi-Cal Dental Services
During the week of April 10, to preparation for the Every Kid Healthy Week at the end of April, Smile, California will debut the new “Healthy Smiles from Pregnancy Through the Toddler Years" brochure to educate Medi-Cal members about the importance of practicing healthy dental habits during every life stage and visiting the dentist regularly. This brochure will be in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean, and will be featured on all communication channels during this promotional period. To ensure information is shared with as many Californians as possible, Smile, California will begin to make website updates to
SmileCalifornia.org and
SonrieCalifornia.org, launch organic and social media campaigns for Instagram and Facebook, disseminate a Smile Alert and member bulletin, and leverage relationships with statewide partners to promote the new brochure. When promoting the brochure, Smile, California will also push existing materials and resources that were developed for pregnant individuals and new parents.
Join Our Team
DHCS is 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
Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Monthly Public Webinar
On April 10, from 3 to 4 p.m., DHCS will host a
public webinar (advance WebEx registration required) to keep stakeholders apprised of DHCS' progress in implementing various CYBHI workstreams. Key attendees include, but are not limited to, youth, parents, family members, behavioral health providers, Medi-Cal managed care plans, county behavioral health departments, and commercial health plans, as well as educational and other cross-sector partners. This webinar was previously scheduled for March 29.
Enhanced Care Management (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 managed care plans (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's Reproductive Health Access Section 1115 Demonstration (CalRHAD)
On March 16, DHCS launched 30-day public and Tribal public comment periods to solicit feedback on a proposed CalRHAD Medicaid Section 1115 demonstration; comments are due by April 17. 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 about the CalRHAD application and how to submit public comments are available on the
CalRHAD webpage.
Dementia Care Aware New Screening Tool
DHCS recently
announced that primary care providers in California have a new dementia screening tool, the
cognitive health assessment, available to help identify cognitive decline in their patients (age 65 and older) and determine next steps. Dementia Care Aware, a statewide initiative led by DHCS,
provides training on this new assessment and support through a warmline to help primary care providers successfully screen for dementia in older adults.
