Resources
CalAIM: Transforming Medi-Cal
CalAIM Concept Paper
DHCS is hosting a 30-day public comment period from July 23 to August 22, 2025, to solicit feedback on the Continuing the Transformation of Medi-Cal Concept Paper. This concept paper focuses on California’s Medi-Cal transformation efforts to date and highlights DHCS’ vision and goals for the five years, starting in 2027, after key federal waivers that authorize California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) expire in December 2026.
DHCS requests that stakeholders submit feedback on this Concept Paper by Thursday, August 21, 2025, to 1115Waiver@dhcs.ca.gov. DHCS will additionally welcome feedback during a series of stakeholder engagement meetings to be held in the summer.
CalAIM ASCMI Pilot
CalAIM Initiative Pages
- Behavioral Health
- Dental
- Enhanced Care Management, Community Support, and Incentive Payments – Webinars | Important Updates
- Justice-Involved – Webinars | Important Updates
- Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) – Webinars | Important Updates
- Population Health Management – Webinars | Important Updates
CalAIM Updated Proposal
DHCS released a revised CalAIM proposal on January 8, 2021:
DHCS formally released the CalAIM proposal on October 29, 2019, at the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) and Behavioral Health Stakeholder Advisory Committee (BH-SAC) meetings. Between November 2019 and February 2020, DHCS conducted extensive stakeholder engagement for both CalAIM and the renewal of the federal authorities under which Medi-Cal operates (i.e. 1115 and 1915b waivers).
DHCS postponed the planned implementation of the CalAIM initiative, originally scheduled for January 1, 2021 so that both DHCS and all of our partners could focus their limited resources on the needs arising from the public health emergency due to COVID-19.
DHCS held a webinar to provide an overview of the 2021 CalAIM Proposal in January 2021 to review the components of the proposal, including changes made to the original proposal based on stakeholder feedback.
Waiver Resources
- CalAIM 1115 Demonstration & 1915(b) Waiver:
- DHCS received approval on the CalAIM Section 1115 demonstration and CalAIM Section 1915(b) waiver and Medi-Cal State Plan Amendments from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). For additional details, visit the CalAIM 1115 Demonstration & 1915(b) Waiver webpage or the CMS website.
- Medi-Cal Waivers Homepage
- 1115 Waiver Medi-Cal 2020 Demonstration Homepage
- 1915(b) Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services Waiver Homepage
CalAIM Workgroups
In 2019, DHCS established topic-specific stakeholder workgroups to explore specific sections of the CalAIM proposal. While these workgroups concluded in February 2020, several new workgroups continue to meet to share feedback and learn more about CalAIM initiatives. For information about upcoming meetings, visit CalAIM News & Updates.
Behavioral Health Workgroup
On January 20, 2022, DHCS hosted the Behavioral Health Workgroup to review the progress on the CalAIM Behavioral Health initiatives that went live January 2022 and beyond, and consider implementation and operational considerations related to the CalAIM Behavioral Health initiative.
- View presentation materials from the January 20, 2022 Behavioral Health Workgroup.
Visit the CalAIM Behavioral Health webpage to access materials from past meetings. Send any questions regarding the Behavioral Health Workgroup to calaimbh@dhcs.ca.gov.
Foster Care Model of Care Workgroup
In consultation with key stakeholders, DHCS and the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) launched the Foster Care Model of Care workgroup in June 2020. Send any questions regarding the Foster Care Workgroup to CalAIMFoster@dhcs.ca.gov.
Justice-Involved Advisory Group
The Justice-Involved Advisory Group is a broad-based body to solicit stakeholder input on policy and implementation matters regarding the CalAIM Justice-Involved initiative. Visit the CalAIM Justice-Involved webpage to access materials from all past Advisory Council meetings. Send questions about the Justice-Involved Advisory Group to CalAIMJusticeAdvisoryGroup@dhcs.ca.gov.
- Listen to the January 27, 2022 Justice-Involved Advisory Group.
- View presentation materials from the January 7, 2022 Justice-Involved Advisory Group.
To receive relevant updates on Justice-Involved Advisory Group meetings, sign up for the DHCS Stakeholder Announcements.
Managed Long-Term Services and Supports and Duals Integration Workgroup
In consultation with key stakeholders, and in coordination with the Governor’s Master Plan for Aging, DHCS launched the Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) and Duals Integration workgroup in February 2021. The goal of the workgroup is to collaborate with stakeholders on the transition of Cal MediConnect (CMC) to a statewide MLTSS and Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) aligned enrollment structure. This policy is intended to help meet the statewide goals of improving care integration and person-centered care, under both CalAIM and the California Master Plan for Aging.
- View presentation materials from the November 18, 2021 MLTSS and Duals Integration Workgroup.
Send any questions regarding this workgroup to info@calduals.org.
Population Health Management (PHM) Advisory Group
Launched in 2022, the PHM Advisory Group is comprised of cross-sector stakeholders who provide feedback and recommendations on many aspects of the CalAIM PHM program and the PHM Service. Members include a diverse set of leaders from across the state with representation from health plans, providers, counties, state departments, consumer organizations, and other groups. Specific topics for discussion will vary by meeting and will include screening and assessments, risk stratification and tiering, basic population health management, including wellness and prevention, care management, and patient engagement. While the PHM Advisory Group will be open to the public, active participation will be limited to Advisory Group members. The group will meet periodically through 2022.
- Presentation materials from the April 26, 2022 PHM Advisory Group will be posted soon.
- View presentation materials from the March 18, 2022 PHM Advisory Group.
Visit the Population Health Management webpage to access PHM Advisory Group meeting information and materials from past sessions. Questions about the PHM Advisory Group may be directed to PHMSection@dhcs.ca.gov. To receive relevant updates on PHM Advisory Group meetings, sign up for the DHCS Stakeholder Announcements.
The workgroups listed below met from November 2019 – February 2020:
- Population Health Management and Managed Care Plan Annual Enrollment
- Enhanced Care Management and In Lieu of Services
- Full Integration Pilots
- NCQA Accreditation
Medi-Cal Strategy to Support Health and Opportunity for Children and Families
DHCS released on March 2, 2022, a strategy for families enrolled in Medi-Cal that unifies the common threads of existing and newly proposed child and family health initiatives and strengthen DHCS’ accountability and oversight of children’s services. DHCS is strengthening its focus on children and families enrolled in Medi-Cal, including improved preventive care and EPSDT foundation, addressing health disparities in children’s care and outcomes, engaging with families to better include enrollees’ voice in decisions making, and addressing the youth behavioral health crisis.
Other Meetings
Mandatory Managed Care Enrollment Initiative
- February 27, 2020
- Meeting Presentation
The transition of CMC and CCI to a statewide MLTSS and D-SNP structure
- February 24, 2020
- Meeting Materials