Program Updates
Children's Presumptive Eligibility (CPE) and Newborn Gateway Portals
Effective July 1, DHCS will launch provider portals to improve access to coverage and care for new families. Through CPE, providers may grant temporary, full scope coverage to eligible applicants through an online portal. This portal replaces the Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) gateway portal. The newborn gateway portal is for reporting the birth of a baby with linkage to Medi-Cal and the Medi-Cal Access Infant Program within 72 hours after birth or 24 hours after discharge, whichever is sooner.
For the CPE portal, all providers, including grandfathered CHDP providers, seeking to participate must complete trainings to become familiar with the updated portals and reporting requirements. For the newborn gateway portal, all qualified presumptive eligibility providers are required to use this portal to report infants born to Medi-Cal or Medi-Cal Access Program members in their facilities, including hospitals, birthing centers, and other birthing settings.
On May 29 at 10 a.m. and June 6 at 1 p.m., DHCS will host CPE and newborn gateway portal overview trainings. Registration for these trainings is available through the
Medi‑Cal Learning Portal. Trainings will be recorded.
CYBHI Statewide Multi-Payer School-Linked Fee Schedule
On May 1, DHCS released the Cohort 2 Statement of Interest Survey and Operational Readiness Application for California Community Colleges (CCC) to participate in the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) statewide multi-payer school-linked fee schedule and statewide provider network. Applications must be submitted via
Qualtrics by June 30.
Welfare and Institutions Code § 5961.4(b) authorizes DHCS to “develop and maintain a school-linked statewide provider network of school-site behavioral health counselors." To develop the CYBHI fee schedule provider network, DHCS will implement an updated operational readiness review process for all interested CCCs. In determining CCC readiness for this cohort, DHCS will consider a variety of factors, including Medi-Cal enrollment, service delivery infrastructure and capacity building, data collection and documentation, and billing infrastructure. The second cohort will participate in a learning collaborative to inform state level policy and operational guidance for the CYBHI fee schedule.
For more information, please visit the
Statewide Multi-Payer School-Linked Fee Schedule webpage or email
DHCS.SBS@dhcs.ca.gov.
Join Our Team
DHCS is seeking a highly skilled, exceptionally motivated individual to serve as
Deputy Director of Administration. The Deputy Director of Administration leads all aspects of specified DHCS administrative functions, including human resources, purchasing, procurement, contracting, business services, facilities, emergency management, health and safety, strategic planning, and training. To apply, submit a completed application package that includes a State Application (STD 678) and responses to the supplemental application items linked above by May 17.
DHCS is also 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
Nursing Facility Financing Reform Webinar
On May 10, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., DHCS will host a
virtual stakeholder webinar on the Skilled Nursing Facility Workforce Standards Program, Accountability Sanctions Program, and Workforce & Quality Incentive Program authorized by
Assembly Bill 186 (Chapter 46, Statutes of 2022). This meeting will also provide an opportunity for stakeholder input. Additional information is available on the
Nursing Facility Financing Reform (AB 186) webpage.
Medi-Cal Dental Los Angeles Stakeholder Meeting
On May 14, from 1 to 3 p.m., DHCS will host the Medi-Cal Dental Los Angeles stakeholder meeting. DHCS will share updates and information about new and upcoming activities. The meeting also provides dental stakeholders with a forum to share input with the Medi-Cal Dental team that can help improve the delivery of oral health care services. Meeting information will be posted on the
DHCS Medi-Cal Dental Los Angeles Stakeholder Meetings webpage. Additional materials will be posted on the webpage prior to the meeting or as soon as they become available. Please email your questions to
dental@dhcs.ca.gov.
Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC)/Behavioral Health (BH)-SAC Meeting
On May 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., DHCS will convene the
SAC/BH-SAC hybrid meeting (advance registration required). The meeting will include an update on Proposition 1 implementation. SAC provides DHCS with valuable input on ongoing California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) implementation efforts, and helps DHCS further its efforts to provide high-quality, equitable care.
BH-SAC is a broad-based body that disseminates information and receives coordinated input regarding DHCS behavioral health activities. It was created as part of the ongoing DHCS effort to integrate behavioral health with the greater health care system and incorporates existing groups that have advised DHCS on behavioral health topics.
CalAIM Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) and Duals Integration Workgroup Meeting
On May 30 at 10 a.m., DHCS will host the CalAIM
MLTSS and Duals Integration Workgroup virtual meeting (advance registration is required). The workgroup serves as a stakeholder collaboration hub for CalAIM MLTSS and integrated care for dual eligible members and allows stakeholders to provide feedback and share information about policy, operations, and strategy for upcoming changes to Medi-Cal and Medicare.
Agenda topics include updates on the Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) State Medicaid Agency Contract (SMAC) and Policy Guide, Medicare enrollment data for dual eligible members, the Default Enrollment Pilot, and the 2025 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule, as well as a presentation on Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports for dual eligible members.
Background materials, transcripts, and video recordings of the previous workgroup meetings, along with additional information about the workgroup, are posted on the
CalAIM MLTSS and Duals Integration Workgroup webpage. For questions or comments, please email
info@calduals.org.
In Case You Missed It
Behavioral Health Transformation Public Listening Session Recording Now Available
On April 19, DHCS hosted the first
Behavioral Health Transformation (BHT) public listening session, The topic of the session was the Infrastructure Bond Act of 2024 Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 7 and Round 8: Unmet Needs. The session was open to the public, including city, county, tribal entities, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations. This was the first monthly public listening sessions being held through October 2024. For updates on future sessions, and a recording of the April 19 session, check the
BHT webpage.
