DHCS Stakeholder News - April 28, 2023
Top News
DHCS Issues Clinic Workforce Stabilization Retention Payments
On April 28, DHCS issued more than $56 million in Clinic Workforce Stabilization Retention Payments (CWSRP). The funds were released to approved, qualified clinics representing more than 56,000 employees. Qualified clinics will have 60 days from the receipt of funds to disburse payments to approved employees. Requirements and guidance are posted on the
CWSRP webpage. Email questions to
cwsrp@dhcs.ca.gov. CWSRP are separate from and additional to the
Hospital and Skilled Nursing Facility COVID-19 Worker Retention Payments disbursed in March and early April.
Program Updates
Access Assessment and Improvement in Medi-Cal
On April 25, DHCS posted a new
Request for Information (RFI) to obtain information from experienced vendors who can conduct independent assessments of access to care, and access improvement in Medi-Cal's four managed care delivery systems: Medi-Cal Managed Care, Dental Managed Care, Specialty Mental Health Services, and Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System. DHCS plans to collaborate with a single entity to assess and develop recommendations to align access standards and monitoring across managed care delivery systems and assist with the assessments. Interested vendors can submit their RFI responses until 4 p.m. on May 25.
Medi-Cal Rx Update
On April 21, Phase III, Lift 2 of the Medi-Cal Rx reinstatement plan was implemented. Providers must now submit prior authorizations for new and renewing prescriptions in
specific additional drug classes for members age 22 and older. More information is available in the
Phase III, Lift 2 implementation alert. The next reinstatement lift, Phase III, Lift 3, will occur on May 19.
Proposition 64 Stakeholder Advisory Group Member Application
On April 28, DHCS released an application to solicit membership for the Proposition 64 Stakeholder Advisory Group for a membership term of August 1, 2023, through July 31, 2025. DHCS is specifically seeking members who have experience working with youth and/or substance use disorder prevention. The advisory group is comprised of youth advocates, public health and behavioral health field experts, physicians, and other youth-serving entities. Current members are eligible to reapply. Information about membership and how to apply are posted on the
Proposition 64 Advisory Group webpage.
Join Our Team
DHCS is hiring! DHCS has an immediate opening for
Chief, Data Management and Analytics Division. This executive role presents a unique opportunity for a mission-driven, exceptionally motivated individual to further the Department's priority to be a data-literate, data-driven decision-making organization.
DHCS is also hiring for our fiscal, human resources, legal, auditing, health policy, information technology, and communications teams. For more information, please visit the
CalCareers website.
Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars
Medi-Cal Children's Health Advisory Panel (MCHAP) Meeting
On May 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., DHCS will host the next
MCHAP hybrid meeting (advance registration required) at The California Endowment (1414 K Street, Sacramento). Meeting materials will be posted on the
MCHAP webpage closer to the meeting date.
Consumer Focused Stakeholder Workgroup
On May 5, the Medi-Cal Eligibility Division (MCED) will host the monthly Consumer-Focused Stakeholder Workgroup (CFSW) meeting. Meeting materials will be posted on the
CFSW webpage by May 3.
In Case You Missed It
California Awards Millions to Support Next Generation of Behavioral Health Care Workers
On April 25,
DHCS awarded more than $17 million to
39 nonprofit providers and tribal organizations in underserved areas to expand their in-house behavioral health workforce. Through DHCS'
Mentored Internship Programs, each entity will receive up to $500,000 to enhance and build their behavioral health substance use disorder workforce, focusing on resources to expand prevention, treatment, and recovery skills for those working with individuals with or at risk of developing an opioid use disorder.
The Mentored Internship Program enhances the professional development of diverse students and helps grow the future behavioral health workforce with comprehensive training to help mitigate the opioid crisis.
Published COVID-19 Information
