DHCS COVID‑19 Response

In collaboration with State and federal officials, DHCS is working with our program partners to ensure Medi-Cal beneficiaries have access to medically necessary COVID‑19 testing and care.

Public Health Guidance - Resuming California's Deferred and Preventive Health Care - Apr 28, 2020

Providers & Partners

Long Term Care Facilities Reimbursement – (ICF-DDs, DPNF-Bs, DPSAs, and NF-As) - May 29, 2020
Rural Health Clinics/FQHCs - Associate Clinical Social Worker/Associate Marriage and Family Therapist Services - May 20, 2020
Targeted Case Management: Electronic Submission of Invoices - May 20, 2020
Medi-Cal Dental: Resuming Preventive and Deferred Care - May 19, 2020
County Operations Survey Summary - May 15, 2020
SPA 20-0024 – CMS-Approved COVID-19 State Plan Amendments - May 14, 2020
Fee-for-Service Pharmacy: Benefit Reminders and Clarifications - Updated May 13, 2020
Pharmacy - Coverage of Acetaminophen, and Cough and Cold Medicines for Adults - May 13, 2020
PPL-20-014 - Local Educational Agency - Telehealth for Billing Option Program - May 11, 2020
Pharmacy - Updated Categorical Risk Levels for Los Angeles County Providers - May 7, 2020
Fee-for-Service Pharmacy: Benefit Reminders and Clarifications - Updated May 4, 2020
APL19-017 Supplement - Quality and Performance Improvement Adjustments - Apr 30, 2020
Telehealth and Virtual Communication in FFS and Managed Care Medi-Cal - Updated Apr 30, 2020
California Children’s Services Medical Therapy Programs during COVID-19 - Apr 29, 2020
California Children’s Services COVID-19 Guidance - Apr 29, 2020
Indian Health Care Providers - Apr 29, 2020
Dental - General Anesthesia and Intravenous Sedation Requirements and Exceptions - Apr 27, 2020
Pharmacy - In-person Signature Rule Suspended for Delivered Medications - Apr 24, 2020
APL 20-011 - Site Reviews, Medical Audits, and Health Risk Assessment -Flexibilities - Apr 24, 2020
EPSDT - Well-Child Visits - Apr 24, 2020
Guidance for NEMT and NMT Providers - Apr 22, 2020
Dental Telehealth and Emergency Treatment Guidance in Medi-Cal - Apr 21, 2020
Family PACT FAQs for COVID-19 - Apr 21, 2020
APL 20-009 Older/At-Risk Individuals – Guidelines to Reduce Isolation and Promote Health While Sheltering at Home - Apr 17, 2020
APL 20-007: Community Based Adult Services - Flexibilities in Managed Care - Apr 15, 2020
Family PACT Update: Injectable Birth Control Administration Guidelines - Apr 14, 2020
Subacute Care Unit Flexibilities During the COVID 19 Emergency – Apr 10, 2020
Emergency Inpatient or Outpatient Services Covered for COVID-19 – Apr 8, 2020
APL 20-008 Mitigating Secondary Health Effects - Managed Care - Apr 7, 2020
ACEs Mitigating Secondary Health Effects - Fee-For-Service - Apr 7, 2020
SPA 20-0024 Request for COVID-19-Related State Plan Amendments – Apr 6, 2020
Subpoenas & Summons - Temporary Service Change – Apr 6, 2020
Every Woman Counts: COVID-19 Program Update - Apr 3, 2020
Joint Guidance on Non-Discrimination in Medical Treatment for COVID-19 - Mar 30, 2020
Guidance for Family PACT Providers, including Telephonic Client Enrollment and Re-certification - Updated Mar 26, 2020
Alzheimer’s Association Guidance on COVID-19 - Mar 26, 2020
Guidance for FPACT Virtual/Telephonic Communications – Mar 26, 2020
Guidance for Medi-Cal Dental Providers - Mar 25, 2020
Guidance Relating to Non-Urgent, Non-Essential or Elective Procedures
Guidance for Targeted Case Management Providers
Reimbursement for Telehealth Services: APL 19-009 Supplement
OCR to Waive HIPAA Penalties for “Good Faith” use of Telehealth
Guidance for Contracted Blood Factor Providers
Updated Managed Care Memo, Includes Telehealth
Medi-Cal Payment for Medical Services Related to COVID-19 , Includes Telehealth
Utilization Management for Family PACT Providers
Hardship Request for Provider Overpayments

Eligibility & Benefits

MEDIL I 20-14 – Deadline Extended for Moratorium on Annual Redeterminations, Discontinuances, and Negative Actions - May 29, 2020
Hospital Presumptive Eligibility: COVID-19 Flexibilities - May 27, 2020
Beneficiaries: Important Information About Medi-Cal and COVID-19 - May 20, 2020
MEDIL I 20-16 - SAWS Portal Applications (with MEDIL I 20-12) - May 15, 2020
Presumptive Eligibility for COVID-19 - Updated May 5, 2020
MEDIL I 20-12 - Applications Received Without Applicant Signature - Apr 30, 2020
Family PACT Client FAQs for COVID-19 - Apr 21, 2020
Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program Presumptive Eligibility Flexibilities due to COVID-19 – Apr 17, 2020
MEDIL I 20-08: Access to Medi-Cal Care During COVID-19 Emergency - Apr 10, 2020
When Is Dental Care an Emergency? A COVID-19 Guide for Families - Apr 10, 2020
Presumptive Eligibility in Child Health and Disability Program: COVID-19 Flexibilities - Apr 2, 2020
Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women: COVID-19 Flexibilities - Apr 2, 2020
MEDIL I 20-07 Access to Care During Public Health Crisis or Disaster
CHIP SPA: Child, Pregnancy Coverage Rules Eased
MEDIL I 20-06 Public Health Crisis or Disaster Reminders for Medi-Cal

Behavioral Health

See California’s emotional support and well-being webpage and managing stress for health webpage for hotlines and other resources.

The California Peer-Run Warm Line: (855) 845-7415 and the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: (900) 885-5990 are available 24/7 for anyone feeling stress due to the emergency.

SAMHSA Grant Recipients - FAQs related to COVID-19 - May 28, 2020
IN 20-009 -Behavioral Health Guidance and FAQs - Updated May 20, 2020
IN 20-024 - Behavioral Health Payment/Reimbursement - Flexibilities - Apr 30, 2020
Presentation - Behavioral Health Flexibilities in Executive Order N-55-20 - Apr 26, 2020
IN 20-016 - Driving Under the Influence Program and FAQ - Apr, 24, 2020
IN 20-015 MH Rehabilitation Center and Psychiatric Health Facilities FAQ – Updated Apr 24, 2020

IN 20-017 - Alcohol and Other Drug Facilities - Flexibilities - Apr 23, 2020
Narcotic Treatment Program FAQ - Updated Apr 24, 2020
IN 20-014 Residential Mental Health Facilities - Flexibilities for COVID-19 - Apr 24, 2020

Providers Seeking Flexibilities - May 29, 2020

Behavioral Health Services for Homeless Persons under Project Roomkey - Apr 23, 2020
Medication Assisted Treatment and Telehealth - COVID-19 FAQ - Updated Apr 17, 2020
Behavioral Health Integration Incentive Program Application - Apr 3, 2020

Home and Community Based Services

Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) - COVID-19 Flexibilities - Updated May 6, 2020
Care Coordination Agencies - Guidance for Assisted Living Waiver - Apr 29, 2020
Waiver Agencies - Appendix K Guidance for HCBA Waiver - Apr 29, 2020
HCBS Guidance for Beneficiaries
HCBS Guidance for Providers

Federal Requests & Waivers

1135 Waiver Guidance

APL 20-004 - Revised Emergency Guidance for Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plans - Updated Apr 27, 2020
Providing Care in Alternative Settings, Hospital Capacity, Transportation, Blanket 1135 Waiver Flexibilities - Apr 22, 2020
Direct-to-Patient Dispensing of Subcutaneous Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate – COVID-19 Emergency - Apr 9, 2020
Fee-for-Service Pharmacy: Flexibilities for Off-Label/Investigational Drugs in COVID-19-Related Treatment - Updated Apr 3, 2020
FFS Prior Authorization - Section 1135 Waiver Flexibilities - Apr 3, 2020
State Fair Hearing Timeframe Changes - Fee For Service - Mar 26, 2020

Notice of Action - COVID-19 Extension - Mar 27, 2020

State Fair Hearing Timeframe Changes - Behavioral Health - Mar 26, 2020
State Fair Hearing Timeframe Change - Managed Care - Mar 26, 2020
Guidance for Emergency Medi-Cal Provider Enrollment

Appendix K Requests

DHCS has submitted Appendix K Requests for:

Appendix K Approval Letter – May 27, 2020
Appendix K for 1915c Waivers: Consolidated COI and HCBS Settings – May 27, 2020
Appendix K for 1915c Waivers: Consolidated Reporting – May 27, 2020
Appendix K Approval Letter - Apr 2, 2020
Appendix K for 1915c Waivers: DDS - Apr 2, 2020
Appendix K for 1915c Waivers: HCBA - Apr 2, 2020
Appendix K for 1915c Waivers: ALW - Apr 2, 2020
Appendix K for 1915c Waivers: HIV/AIDS - Apr 2, 2020
Appendix K for 1915c Waivers: MSSP - Apr 2, 2020
Flexibility for California Community Transitions - Mar 26, 2020

How to Apply for Medi-Cal

Medi-Cal offers free or low-cost health coverage for low-income California residents. Most people with Medi-Cal pay no premium or co-payments. Medi-Cal and Covered California use the same streamlined application.

In Person:

Apply at your local county social services office, where you can get personal assistance completing your application.
Please note that counties are available to serve the public but some local county social service offices may be closed temporarily for in-person services. You may contact the county using one of the other methods listed below.

By Mail:

Apply for Medi-Cal with a Single Streamlined Application , provided in English and other languages. Send completed and signed applications to your local county social services office.

By Phone:

For questions about your Medi-Cal eligibility or to apply over the phone, call your local county social services office.

Online:

Apply online at www.CoveredCA.com. Applications are securely transferred directly to your local county social services office, since Medi-Cal is provided at the county level. If you need additional help applying or have additional questions, you can contact a trained Certified Enrollment Counselor (CEC) for free. Search a list of local CECs or call (800)300-1506.

Learn more about applying for Medi-Cal.

Last modified date: 5/31/2020 2:04 PM

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​DHCS COVID‑19 Response​​​​

Providers​ &​ Partners​

​Eligibility​ & Benefits