March 23, 2026

Top News

California Breaks Ground on New Tribal Behavioral Health Campus in Pauma Valley

On March 20, DHCS joined Inner-Tribal Treatment and community partners to break ground on the new Inner-Tribal Wellness Village in Pauma Valley (San Diego County). Supported by the Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act and Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), the project includes nearly $20 million in Bond BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready funding to significantly expand regional substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health treatment capacity. It is one of hundreds of Proposition 1 investments strengthening California's continuum of community-based behavioral health care. The campus will serve Tribal communities and people throughout San Diego County and surrounding regions who need behavioral health treatment and support. When completed, the Inner-Tribal Wellness Village will include a 60‑bed adult residential SUD treatment facility and a community mental health clinic with 120 outpatient slots, serving an estimated 500 individuals annually.

Program Updates

Retroactive Medi-Cal Eligibility: Policy Update

On March 12, DHCS issued All County Welfare Directors Letter (ACWDL) 26-07, which outlines federally required changes to retroactive Medi-Cal eligibility, effective January 1, 2027. Under the new rules, Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) New Adult Group applicants will be limited to one month of retroactive coverage, while all other eligibility groups may receive up to two months. Applications filed before January 1, 2027, will continue to follow the current three-month policy. Counties must keep using the MC 210A form, apply existing verification standards, and assist applicants requesting retroactive coverage, while the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) and California Healthcare Eligibility, Enrollment and Retention System (CalHEERS) will be updated to automatically enforce the new limits. Updated Notice of Action snippets will be implemented statewide, and the policy applies to Medi-Cal Inmate Eligibility Program New Adult Group aid codes as well. For questions, counties may contact DHCS at MCED-Policy@dhcs.ca.gov.

Real Time Behavioral Health Data Sharing: New Policy Guidance and Upcoming Webinar

On March 16, DHCS issued new guidance to strengthen real time behavioral health data sharing across Medi-Cal programs. Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN) 26-013 outlines real time data sharing requirements for Behavioral Health Plans (BHP) and Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) Counties. Paired with All Plan Letter (APL) 26-004, which establishes corresponding guidance for Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCP), this guidance provides updated and clarified responsibilities for counties and plans to support secure, real-time exchange of physical and behavioral health information among Medi-Cal partners to facilitate timely care coordination. Key responsibilities include:

• Sharing admission, discharge, and event notifications with partners in real time.
• Using the Authorization to Share Confidential Member Information (ASCMI) Form as the standardized release of information, and sharing data in compliance with state and federal laws that protect data privacy.
• Sharing of data necessary for state and federal reporting obligations.

To support implementation, on April 2 at 2 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host an All-Comer Webinar introducing the BHIN and APL, outlining requirements for MCPs, BHPs, and DMC Counties. The session will cover key policy expectations, explain how these updates advance care coordination, and allow time for stakeholder questions. Please email any questions about the webinar to DHCSDataSharing@dhcs.ca.gov.

Smile, California Mobile Dental Van Event

On April 6 and 7, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT, Smile, California will host mobile dental van events in Siskiyou County to provide free dental services. The van will be located at 810 South Main Street in Yreka. Smile, California is DHCS' Medi-Cal Dental education and outreach campaign designed to help more than 14 million members access and use their dental benefits, including free check-ups and treatments. Smile, California will support the event with a flyer and social media posts to promote event awareness and encourage community members to schedule appointments in advance.

Join Our Team

DHCS is hiring for its Investigations, Population Health Management, Clinical Assurance, and other teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars

DHCS posts upcoming public meetings on its Calendar of Events. DHCS provides free assistive services, including language interpretation, real-time captioning, and meeting materials in alternate formatting. To request services, please email DHCS at the appropriate contact email address at least ten working days before the meeting.

Coverage Ambassador Webinar Series

On March 26, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host a Coverage Ambassador webinar to give an overview of Smile, California (advance registration required) and available Medi-Cal Dental materials and resources. Spanish translation and live captions will be available. Coverage Ambassadors are trusted messengers who help raise awareness about Medi-Cal benefits, enrollment opportunities, and new initiatives aimed at building a healthier California for all. Visit the Coverage Ambassador website for more information, including how to subscribe to receive regular updates, newsletters, and webinar reminders.

Comprehensive Intrauterine Device (IUD) and Contraceptive Implant Training

On April 9 and 10, 2026, DHCS' Office of Family Planning (OFP) will host an in-person Comprehensive IUD and Contraceptive Implant Training, which includes updates on current U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements. Conducted since 2018, this semi-annual provider training is designed for both new and experienced providers who want to build or refine their skills in IUD and implant placement and removal. The training includes hands-on practice with pelvic models and computer simulators, as well as proctoring by family planning experts. Advanced topics include management of side effects, tips for difficult contraceptive implant placements, pain management principles for office procedures, and complication prevention and management. To register, please see the OFP IUD & Implant Training webpage.

CalAIM Best Practices and Sustainability Toolkits

On April 17, from 10 to 11 a.m. PDT, DHCS will host a public webinar, “Accelerating Improvement with the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Collaborative Planning and Implementation (CPI) Best Practices and Sustainability Toolkits" (advance registration required). The webinar will introduce the CalAIM Best Practices and Sustainability Toolkits; demonstrate how these toolkits can strengthen partnerships, workflows, and referral networks; and outline clear, actionable steps that organizations can take to support long‑term sustainability after Providing Access and Transforming Health ends. Guest speakers include Camden Coalition, BluePath Health, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and HC2 Strategies. Learn more by visiting the CPI webpage, and submit questions to collaborative@ca-path.com.

In Case You Missed It

Critical Funding Expands Behavioral Health Services

On March 11, DHCS announced $1.18 billion in competitive grant funding through the Bond BHCIP Round 2: Unmet Needs awards. Just two years after Proposition 1 passed, this final round of bond funding supports 66 projects that will build or expand 130 behavioral health facilities across California, adding 2,554 residential and inpatient treatment beds and 4,273 outpatient treatment slots for mental health and SUD services in the communities with the greatest unmet needs.

Behavioral Health Services Act County Policy Manual Module 5: Public Comment Now Open

DHCS opened the public comment period for draft Module 5 of the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) County Policy Manual. The BHSA is California's updated framework for behavioral health care, designed to expand access to treatment and housing, strengthen the workforce, and improve accountability. Module 5 provides counties with clear guidance on preparing, submitting, and certifying Annual and Intermittent Updates to their Integrated Plans. Annual Updates are scheduled reviews to maintain compliance with new laws, while Intermittent Updates allow counties to make urgent changes in response to emerging needs. DHCS will accept comments through March 27 via the digital platform to help shape statewide behavioral health policy. We invite you to watch the instructional training video, review draft Module 5 content, submit feedback, and contact BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov if you have any questions.