No. Issued
| Subject
| Date
|
Draft COVID-19 BHIN 25-XXX
| Supersedes BHIN 23-014: Informs certified alcohol and other drug (AOD) programs of their obligation to submit communicable disease reports to DHCS. Please provide feedback to LCDQuestions@dhcs.ca.gov by March 4, 2026. | 2/11/2026
|
BHIN 26-008
| Supersedes BHIN 22-068. Interoperability
Requirements for Mental Health Plans and Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery
Systems. Provides information to Behavioral Health Plans on the Application
Programming Interface (API) requirements outlined in CMS-9115-F and the
provisions of CMS-0057-F final rule.
| 2/10/2026
|
BHIN 26-007
| Reporting Requirements for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Recovery or Treatment Facilities: Provides guidance regarding the expansion of California Health & Safety Code 11830.01 to require SUD recovery or treatment facilities to report additional information not previously required concerning the death of a resident. The new requirements are effective January 1, 2026.
| 2/9/2026
|
BHIN 26-006
| Admission Agreements and “Return to Use” Plans for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Recovery or Treatment Facilities: Provides guidance regarding the expansion of California Health & Safety Code Division 10.5, Part 2, Chapter 7.5, (commencing with section 11834.01) and notify SUD facilities of updates to requirements for admission agreements and “Return to Use” plans. The new requirements are effective January 1, 2026.
| 2/9/2026
|
Draft BHIN 26-XXX
| Medi-Cal Mobile Crisis Reporting Requirements: Provides information to Behavioral Health Delivery Systems on the data elements outlined in BHIN 23-025 and provides additional guidance on the data submission process, methods, and reporting frequency.
Please provide feedback to CountySupport@dhcs.ca.gov by February 24, 2026.
| 2/9/2026
|
|
Draft BHIN 26-XXX
| Supersedes BHIN 22-016: Provides updated policy guidance to county Behavioral Health Plans on the authorization of outpatient Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS). The purpose of this BHIN is to remove prior authorization requirements for Intensive Home-Based Services (IHBS) and update the list of outpatient SMHS services and associated authorization requirements.
Please provide feedback to CountySupport@dhcs.ca.gov by February 17, 2026. To expedite review of comments and final publication, to the extent possible, please include relevant page number and paragraph/section references when providing BHIN feedback. | 2/2/2026
|
|
Draft BHIN 26-XXX
| Supersedes BHIN 24-041. Provides guidance to the counties on the data reporting requirements to monitor the performance of the CARE Act model using the standards set forth in the CARE Act Data Dictionary. The revised guidance aligns with new requirements outlined in Senate Bill 27, which expanded the CARE Act eligible diagnoses to include individuals with bipolar I disorder with psychotic features. The revisions also clarify that the data and information collected by DHCS shall be included in CARE reports to the extent that this data is available. Please provide feedback to DHCSCAREAct@dhcs.ca.gov by February 25, 2026.
| 2/9/2026
|
BHIN 26-005
| Provides reimbursement guidance to county Behavioral Health Plans (BHPs) regarding covered Medi-Cal services provided to a Medi-Cal member diagnosed only with a severe substance use disorder (SUD) as part of involuntary evaluation and treatment under the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act. Please submit any questions to CountySupport@dhcs.ca.gov.
| 2/9/2026
|
BHIN 26-004
| Supersedes BHIN 25-017: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Recovery or Treatment Facilities’ Licensure and Certification Fee Increase Beginning Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027
| 2/9/2026
|
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
|
BHIN 26-002
| Supersedes BHIN 21-073: Access Criteria to Specialty Mental Health Services Delivery System: Provides county Behavioral 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
|
