​​May 13, 2024 - Stakeholder Update

Top News

Governor Releases May Revision for Fiscal Year 2024-25

Acknowledging the challenges of this difficult budget year, DHCS remains committed to supporting vital services for Californians. While the May Revision for fiscal year 2024-25 includes reductions and extended funding timelines, DHCS' proposed budget reinforces the state's commitments to transform Medi-Cal and behavioral health to operate more effectively and efficiently for its millions of members within a responsible budgetary structure. The May Revision includes budget solutions that preserve the integrity of our core safety net programs, safeguarding benefits for low-income Californians without reducing eligibility. The budget includes several major issues and proposals, including resources for implementing Behavioral Health Transformation (BHT) due to the passage of Proposition 1 by voters in March 2024.
 
The May Revision includes updates to the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, Home and Community-Based Spending Plan, Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), and caseload based on eligibility redeterminations. The May Revision also includes several proposed actions to reduce General Fund costs. Budget solutions include changes to the Managed Care Organization Tax and investments, CYBHI, behavioral health programs, such as Behavioral Health Bridge Housing and the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program, and the elimination of programs, such as Health Enrollment Navigators and the Indian Health Grant Program. Additional information about DHCS' proposed budget will be available in the coming days. 

This is precisely the time when we must become more creative about how we leverage and maximize every dollar to better serve the most vulnerable in our communities while also furthering our purpose of a healthy California for all. DHCS remains committed to providing equitable access to quality health care as we navigate these challenging budget times.
 

Program Updates

Dental Business Operations Contractor Assumption of Operations

On May 13, DHCS completes the transition of the Medi-Cal Dental fee-for-service benefit administration to the Fiscal Intermediary-Dental Business Operations (DBO) contractor, Gainwell Technologies LLC, from the incumbent Administrative Services Organization (ASO) contractor, Delta Dental of California. Gainwell has demonstrated it is ready to take on essential business services, including handling claims and Treatment Authorization Requests, operating telephone service centers, and engaging with members and providers to assist with outreach and address their questions and needs.​
 

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 

Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Program (HACCP) Webinar for Medical Providers and Hearing Professionals

On May 14, from 12 to 1 p.m., DHCS will host a quarterly HACCP webinar to share information with providers to help pediatric patients and their families maximize HACCP benefits. The training session will address program requirements for families to apply for coverage and the claims submission process for audiologists, otolaryngologists, physicians, and their office staff. More information is available on the HACCP 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. 

Drug Medi-Cal State Plan Memoranda of Understanding

On May 16, from 4 to 5 p.m., DHCS will host an informational webinar (advance registration required) on a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) State Plan counties and Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCP), as detailed in Behavioral Health Information Notice No: 24-016. The webinar will provide background, an overview, and implementation guidance related to MOUs that are required to be entered into by DMC State Plan counties and MCPs, as well as details on utilizing the required DMC State Plan-MCP MOU template. The webinar is open to the public. 

On May 6, DHCS released detailed requirements for MOUs between MCPs and DMC State Plan counties, which are required to make a good faith effort to enter in a MOU by July 1, 2024. The MOUs outline the responsibilities and obligations of each party to coordinate and facilitate the provision of medically necessary services to members served by multiple parties. Additional information and MOU templates are available on the DHCS MOU webpage. Contact DHCS with any questions or comments about the MOUs at MCPMOUS@dhcs.ca.gov. 

California Telehealth Coalition Monthly Meeting

On May 17, DHCS will participate in the Center for Connected Health Care Policy's monthly telehealth policy coalition meeting. At this meeting, DHCS will present on the Department's April 2024 release of a new Medi-Cal telehealth utilization data dashboard and companion biennial telehealth utilization report. More information about DHCS' telehealth resources is available on the Medi-Cal & Telehealth webpage.

Children's Presumptive Eligibility (CPE) and Newborn Gateway Portals

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, where recorded trainings will be available. 

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 seeking to participate must complete training 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. 

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. 

Behavioral Health Services Act (Public Listening Session)

On May 30, from 1 to 2 p.m., DHCS will host a Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) public listening session on the County Integrated Plan for Behavioral Health Services and Outcomes. This session is open to the public. 

In March, California voters passed Proposition 1, which includes the BHSA and Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond. The BHSA calls for a new County Integrated Plan for Behavioral Health Services and Outcomes that includes all local behavioral health funding and services. The plan requires counties to demonstrate coordinated behavioral health planning using all services and sources of behavioral health funding to provide increased transparency, stakeholder engagement, and outcomes for all local services. During the public listening session, attendees can provide direct input on the guidance DHCS is developing for the County Integrated Plan for Behavioral Health Services and Outcomes. 

Visit the Behavioral Health Transformation (BHT) webpage for more information about the monthly public listening sessions and additional resources. Please send questions related to BHT and/or the public listening sessions to BHTinfo@DHCS.ca.gov.