April 22, 2024 - Stakeholder Update​

​Program Updates 

2024 Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan (MCP) Transition Policy Guide Update

DHCS published version seven of the 2024 Medi-Cal MCP Transition Policy Guide, which includes DHCS policy and MCP requirements related to member transitions among MCPs that took effect on January 1, 2024. This version includes updates to the Transition Monitoring and Oversight Reporting Requirements policy to extend MCP survey reporting on select data elements through June 30, 2024, as well as technical edits to correct broken hyperlinks. DHCS expects this to be the last update to the MCP Transition Policy Guide. Please email questions about the policy guide to MCPTransitionPolicyGuide@dhcs.ca.gov. 

Medicare Medi-Cal Plans – Default Enrollment Pilot

In summer 2024, DHCS will launch a default enrollment pilot for select Medicare Medi-Cal (Medi-Medi) Plans in San Diego and San Mateo counties. Medi-Medi Plans are a type of Medicare Advantage (MA) plan that coordinates all benefits and services across both programs for dual eligible individuals. For these pilot plans, when a member in a MCP becomes eligible for Medicare (due to age or disability), the member will be automatically enrolled in the Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) for that MCP, unless the member chooses a different Medicare option, such as Original Medicare, or another MA plan.

Default enrollment expands enrollment into integrated care plans for newly dual eligible members and supports continuity of care with a member's Medi-Cal providers. The pilot does not impact dual eligible members who are already enrolled in Medicare or individuals already enrolled in Medicare who newly enroll in Medi-Cal. The pilot impacts a small number of members each month, and participating plans will be closely monitored. As of October 2023, the default enrollment process is being used in 12 states and Puerto Rico. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) included guidance on D-SNP default enrollment in its annual MA Enrollment and Disenrollment Guidance. Please contact DHCS at info@calduals.org with any questions or comments about Medi-Medi Plans .
 

Join Our Team

DHCS is hiring for communications, human resources, auditing, health policy, information technology, and other teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.
 

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars

988-Crisis Policy Advisory Group Meeting

On April 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) will hold the 988-Crisis Policy Advisory Group meeting. Members of the public are welcome to join the meeting and comment on the policy. Recordings of the meeting will be posted on the CalHHS website, along with a roster of advisory group members. 

AB 988 (Chapter 747, Statutes of 2022) requires CalHHS to establish and convene the 988-Crisis Policy Advisory Group to advise on the development of recommendations for a five-year implementation plan for a comprehensive 988 system. The resulting report must be delivered to the state Legislature no later than December 31, 2024. Advisory group members bring expertise, experience, and diversity of thought to help develop strong, actionable recommendations for a comprehensive 988 crisis system that works for all Californians. For more information or to be added to the AB 988 contact list, please email AB988Info@chhs.ca.gov.

All interested stakeholders are also encouraged to become familiar with the Crisis Care Continuum Plan, which will continue to serve as the roadmap for the future state of behavioral health crisis services in California. 

CalAIM Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Technical Assistance (TA) Marketplace​

On April 25, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., DHCS will host a virtual California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) PATH TA Marketplace Vendor Fair, where vendors pitch their organization and services to potential TA Recipients and encourage utilization of the TA Marketplace. Approved TA Recipients and organizations currently contracted with or planning to contract with a Medi-Cal MCP or other eligible entity to provide Enhanced Care Management (ECM)/Community Supports are encouraged to attend. The PATH TA Marketplace is a one-stop-shop website where entities can access free TA services from curated and approved vendors. Vendor services help eligible ECM/Community Supports providers build their data capacity, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, train existing and new staff, implement linguistically responsive services, and more. 

The April 25 Vendor Fair features vendors providing services in Domain 5: Promoting Health Equity and Domain 6: Supporting Cross-Sector Partnerships. Domain 5 includes TA vendors with expertise to help TA recipients advance health equity through their implementation of ECM/Community Supports and in their work with Medi-Cal members. Domain 6 includes TA vendors with the expertise to help TA recipients successfully engage in cross-sector partnerships, including partnerships between Medi-Cal MCPs and counties.

Additionally, on April 1, DHCS opened the PATH TA Marketplace Round 4 vendor application. Organizations interested in applying to qualify as a TA vendor can apply on the PATH TA Marketplace webpage. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. PDT on April 30. Approved vendors will receive PATH-funded reimbursements for TA services they provide in the TA Marketplace. For more information, please review the guidance document. 

CalAIM Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled (ICF/DD) Carve-In Office Hours

On April 25, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., DHCS will host an office hours session (advance registration required) as part of its educational webinar series on the CalAIM ICF/DD carve-in. The office hours session will provide a dedicated forum for DHCS and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to engage with ICF/DD Homes, Regional Centers, and Medi-Cal MCP representatives to address questions related to ICF/DD carve-in policy requirements and implementation of the transition to managed care that took effect on January 1, 2024. 

Office hours participants are encouraged to submit questions to LTCtransition@dhcs.ca.gov in advance of the meeting. Additional details about upcoming webinars are available on the CalAIM ICF/DD LTC Carve-In webpage.​