April 13, 2026

Top News

DHCS Helps Stop Identity Theft and Hospice Fraud Scheme

DHCS and the California Department of Justice, working in close coordination with the California Department of Public Health, have taken decisive action to dismantle a large-scale identity theft and hospice fraud scheme targeting the Medi-Cal program. This coordinated enforcement effort underscores California's commitment to protecting Medi-Cal members and safeguarding taxpayer dollars from fraud, waste, and abuse. Read more in DHCS' press release.

Draft County BHSA Integrated Plans Received

All California counties have submitted their draft Fiscal Year 2026-2029 Integrated Plans. These three-year roadmaps required under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) show how counties will use all funding sources to meet statewide and local goals. This milestone reflects strong collaboration among DHCS, counties, cities, local partners, and stakeholders. DHCS is on track to provide feedback within legislatively required timeframes, with two early submissions already approved and the remaining plans moving through review. Once DHCS issues draft approval, counties must conduct a 30-day public comment period and hold a public hearing before the local behavioral health board. Plans must also receive approval from the County Board of Supervisors before final submission by the June 30, 2026, deadline. These steps ensure individuals with lived experience, families, providers, advocates, and other community members continue to have meaningful opportunities to help shape the final plans.

Program Updates

Comprehensive Maternity Services Guidance for Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans

On April 3, DHCS published All Plan Letter (APL) 26-005, which consolidates maternity policies across 33 separate APLs and Policy Letters into one comprehensive guidance document for managed care plans (MCP). The APL is organized into 13 sections that outline plan requirements across the full continuum of pregnancy and postpartum care, including risk assessments for pregnant members, clinical maternity services, access to maternity providers, behavioral health supports during pregnancy and postpartum, and lactation services. These requirements align with federal and state law, the Medicaid State Plan, and the Medi-Cal managed care contract.

Join Our Team

DHCS is hiring for its Health Care Financing, Quality and Population Health Management, 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.

Proposition 64 Advisory Group Meeting 

On April 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the Proposition 64 Advisory Group meeting at the Sierra Health Foundation Center for Health Program Management in Sacramento. The meeting will provide information about the Round 8 Elevate Youth California (EYC) program focus areas and Round 3 Evaluation. DHCS will also provide Proposition 64 Youth Education, Prevention, Early Intervention and Treatment-funded contract and budget updates. Lastly, participants will hear a presentation from Children's Hospital Los Angeles, an EYC-funded partner. Meeting information, including the agenda, webinar link, and additional materials, will be posted on the Prop 64 Advisory Group webpage. For questions, please email DHCSProp64@dhcs.ca.gov.

Community Health Workers: Beyond the Health Care Setting

On April 16, at 1 p.m. PDT, the California Department of Public Health will host a webinar about the vital role community health workers (CHW) play in chronic disease management. While their titles and duties vary across organizations, CHWs help bridge the gap between community members and health care systems, along with connecting individuals to community-based organizations that address non-medical needs. Speakers from DHCS, the Department of Health Care Access and Information, and El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center will discuss their work with CHWs. Agenda topics include CHWs in managed care plans, Medi-Cal billing, CHW workforce development, and best practices for implementing CHW programs.

CalAIM Best Practices and Sustainability Toolkits Webinar

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 toolkits; demonstrate how to use them to 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.

Smile, California Mobile Dental Van Events

On April 21 and 22, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT, mobile dental van events will be held in San Benito County to provide free dental services, including x-rays, cleanings, and sealants, to community members. The van will be located at 351 Tres Pinos Road, Suite 100-A, in Hollister. Families may call 1-888-585-3368 to schedule an appointment, pre-register, and complete the consent forms ahead of time, and they may visit SmileCalifornia.org for more details. 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.

DHCS CalAIM MLTSS and Duals Integration Workgroup

On April 22, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the CalAIM Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) and Duals Integration Workgroup meeting (advance registration required). The workgroup is a stakeholder collaboration hub for CalAIM MLTSS and integrated care for dual eligible members. It allows stakeholders to provide feedback and share information about policy, operations, and strategy related to Medi-Cal and Medicare. The meeting agenda includes updates on H.R. 1 and impacts to dual eligible members, the 2026 Medi-Medi Plan expansion, Exclusively Aligned Enrollment (EAE) Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) Default Enrollment Pilot, D-SNP Dashboard, Medicare enrollment data for dual eligible members, 2025 D-SNP quality data, and proposed BridgeCare pilots to help older adults stay safely at home with targeted supports. More information, background materials, transcripts, and video recordings of previous workgroup meetings are posted on the CalAIM MLTSS and Duals Integration Workgroup webpage. For questions or comments, please email DHCS at info@calduals.org.

In Case You Missed It

Updated Behavioral Health Services Act County Policy Manual 

On April 3, DHCS released an updated BHSA County Policy Manual. The update strengthens guidance on evidence-based practices (EBP), community-defined evidence practices, foundational requirements for Full Service Partnership EBPs, and oversight responsibilities, including reporting, compliance reviews, and enforcement. The update also introduces California's first statewide BHSA performance measures to improve transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision making. This effort supports Mental Health for All, California's initiative to expand treatment, housing, and culturally responsive care. Please email questions to BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov.​