CalAIM Behavioral Health Initiative Frequently Asked Questions
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Below is a list of frequently asked questions that have been collected from technical assistance and informational webinars and submissions to the BHCalAIM@dhcs.ca.gov email. DHCS will update this list on a quarterly basis.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
What is the submission process for quarterly reports to DHCS for MCPs, MHPs, and DMC-ODS?
Managed Care Plans (MCPs) must demonstrate a good faith effort to meet the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) requirements of All Plan Letter (APL) 23-029. MCPs that are unable to execute the required MOUs by the required execution date must submit quarterly progress reports and documentation to DHCS demonstrating evidence of their good faith effort to execute the MOUs. The other Parties are not required to submit or sign the MCP's quarterly reports, as the quarterly reports are specific to the MCPs compliance with the MOU requirements. DHCS has released an MOU Quarterly Reporting Template and instructions for submitting the required quarterly reports with the finalized template.
MHPs and DMC-ODS counties must demonstrate a good faith effort to meet the MOU requirements of Behavioral Health Information Notices (BHINs) and 23-057, respectively. MHPs and DMC-ODS counties that are unable to execute the required MOUs by January 1, 2024 must submit quarterly progress reports and documentation to DHCS demonstrating evidence of their good faith effort to execute the MOUs. The deadline for the first quarter submissions for MHPs and DMC-ODS counties is April 30, 2024. Please refer to BHIN 23-056 and 23-057 for the progress quarterly report submission deadline to DHCS. MHP and DMC-ODS counties shall submit the quarterly progress report to MCBHOMDMonitoring@dhcs.ca.gov. The quarterly updates will be required until the MOU is executed and all policies and procedures required by the MOU are established and submitted to DHCS.23-056 and 23-057, respectively. Mental Health Plans (MHPs) and Drug Medi-Cal-Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) counties that are unable to execute the required MOUs by January 1, 2024 must submit quarterly progress reports and documentation to DHCS demonstrating evidence of their good faith effort to execute the MOUs. The deadline for the first quarter submissions for MHPs and DMC-ODS counties is April 30, 2024. Please refer to BHIN 23-056 and 23-057 for the progress quarterly report submission deadline to DHCS. MHP and DMC-ODS counties shall submit the quarterly progress report to MCBHOMDMonitoring@dhcs.ca.gov. The quarterly updates will be required until the MOU is executed and all policies and procedures required by the MOU are established and submitted to DHCS.
Are MHPs and DMC-ODS county network/contracted providers required to be signatories to their delivery system's respective MOU?
No. The required signatories (in addition to the Mental Health Plan (MHP) / Drug Medi-Cal-Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) County and the Managed Care Plans (MCPs)) are MCP Subcontractors or Downstream Subcontractors that are Knox-Keene licensed health care plans and have entered into agreements with MCPs to delegate all or part of their responsibilities relating to sending/receiving referrals and care coordination for members served by both parties of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). In addition, the MHP's behavioral health director (or position above) or a designated member of the county's Board of Supervisors must sign the MOU. This does not include network/contracted MHP and DMC-ODS providers.
Do MCPs, MHPs, and DMC-ODS counties need to submit a redline version of all updates to the template, including use of optional provisions?
For Managed Care Plans (MCPs), Mental Health Plans (MHPs), and Drug Medi-Cal-Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) counties, a redline version and prior approval for optional provisions and additions will not be required prior to execution. However, a cover sheet for MCPs, MHPs, and DMC-ODS counties, which clearly displays any additional or optional provisions will be required. DHCS is developing a cover sheet for use by MCPs, MHPs, and DMC-ODS counties. This cover sheet will include all optional provisions selected and the ability for the MCPs, MHPs, and DMC-ODS counties to notate any additional provisions. DHCS will be relaying these requirements through technical assistance and updating the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Frequently Asked Questions FAQs.
Are the MHP and DMC-ODS MOU Templates included in BHINs 23-056 and 23-057 identical to the MHP and DMC-ODS MOU Templates included in APL 23-029 and the MHP and DMC-ODS MOU Templates on the MCP MOU website?
Yes, the Mental Health Plan (MHP) and Drug Medi-Cal-Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Templates referenced in the Behavioral Health Information Notices (BHINs), All Plan Letter (APL), and website are identical.
