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​2026 Behavioral Health Information Notices

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Return to Letters, Information Notices and Bulletins​

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No. Issued​
​Subject
​Date
​BHIN 26-003
​Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act Quarterly Data Collection on Involuntary Treatment: Senate Bill (SB) 1184 Implementation: Notify stakeholders of SB1184 data reporting and collection requirements related to involuntary treatment under the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act. 
​1/27/2026
​Draft BHIN 26-XXX​

​The HFW BHIN provides minimum requirements all BHPs must meet for providing HFW under Medi-Cal.  DHCS will release an accompanying HFW Policy Manual, which will provide required operational and practice standards for the implementation of HFW. ​

Please provide feedback to BH-CONNECT@dhcs.ca.gov by January 29, 2026.​

​1/14/2025
​​BHIN 26-002
​Supersedes BHIN 21-073: Access Criteria to Specialty Mental Health Services Delivery System: Provides county B​ehavioral Health Plans (BHPs) with updated guidance on Access Criteria for the Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) delivery system and medical necessity. Updates guidance on DHCS-approved youth trauma screening tools for a member to access the SMHS delivery system. Please submit any questions to BHCalAIM@dhcs.ca.gov. 
  • Enclosure 1: DHCS Approved Youth Trauma Screening Tools  
​1/20/2026
​BHIN 26-001

Supersedes BHIN 20-043: ​Inpatient Specialty Mental Health Services Criteria:  Provides guidance to county Behavioral Health Plans (BHPs) regarding medical necessity criteria for coverage of inpatient specialty mental health services (SMHS), including psychiatric inpatient hospital services, psychiatric inpatient hospital professional services, and psychiatric health facility services. Submit any questions to CountySupport@dhcs.ca.gov. ​


​1/20/2026

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Last modified date: 1/28/2026 10:30 AM