July 21, 2025​

​Top News

DHCS Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Budget Highlights and Updated Project Go-Live Information Released

DHCS' FY 2025-26 budget totals $202.7 billion to support DHCS programs and services. DHCS' budget reflects the Newsom Administration's ongoing commitment to invest in the health of all Californians within a responsible budgetary structure. The budget enables DHCS to continue transforming Medi-Cal into a more coordinated, person-centered, and equitable health system that works for Medi-Cal's millions of members and California as a whole. The budget continues to modernize the behavioral health delivery system, including the implementation of Proposition 1, improve accountability and transparency, and strengthen the continuum of community-based behavioral health care for all Californians. The budget supports DHCS' purpose to provide equitable access to quality health care, leading to a healthy California for all.

DHCS recognizes that changes to member health coverage and benefits can be concerning. The state remains committed to protecting and improving Medi-Cal services, ensuring access to care, and supporting member health. DHCS released the new What Medi-Cal Members Need to Know document to help Medi-Cal members and the providers and organizations that work with them understand the impact of budget changes.

Finally, DHCS posted an updated DHCS Major Program Initiatives - Go-Live Dates document that includes detailed schedules for the rollout of new policies and services. We encourage all stakeholders to stay informed by regularly checking DHCS communications and participating in upcoming stakeholder meetings.

California Deepens Commitment to LGBTQ+ Youth

In response to the Trump administration's decision to eliminate specialized suicide prevention support for LGBTQ youth callers through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, California took action to improve behavioral health services and provide even more affirming and inclusive crisis services for LGBTQ young people. Through a new partnership with The Trevor Project, the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) is providing the state's 988 crisis counselors enhanced competency training from experts, ensuring better attunement to the needs of LGBTQ+ youth, on top of the specific training they already receive.

If you, a friend, or a loved one is in crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call, chat, or text 988 and be immediately connected to skilled counselors at all times. Specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth are also available via The Trevor Project hotline at 1-866-488-7386, which continues as a state-endorsed access point. Additional continuum-of-care services, including peer support, are available via CalHOPE, and digital mental health support for youth, young adults, and families is available for non-crisis moments.

Program Updates

Federal Update: Guidance for Medi-Cal and Family PACT Providers Issued in Response to H.R. 1

On July 4, the President signed H.R. 1, which includes Section 71113, Federal Payments to Prohibited Entities. DHCS updated guidance to Medi-Cal and Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment Program (Family PACT) providers that meet the definition of “Prohibited Entities" under H.R. 1 regarding service delivery and claims submission. The revisions include important clarifications to previously issued instructions. In addition, DHCS updated All Plan Letter (APL) 25-011 to provide guidance to Medi-Cal managed care plans on the handling of payments to impacted Medi-Cal and Family PACT providers. For questions about this guidance, please email DHCS' Office of Family Planning at OFPStakeholder@dhcs.ca.gov.

Alternative Format Materials

DHCS has made it easier for Medi-Cal members to get their mail in alternate formats, like large print, braille, or audio. Members can now update their preferences when applying for or renewing their Medi-Cal when they log into (or create) their Covered California or BenefitsCal accounts. They may also call or visit their county office to update their communication preferences. Members already receiving alternative formats do not need to update their preferences or take any additional steps. For more information, please visit DHCS' Alternative Formats webpage.

Join Our Team

The California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) is seeking a talented and motivated individual to serve as:

• Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary reports to the Deputy Secretary of Program and Fiscal Affairs at CalHHS and serves as a member of the Secretary's Executive Staff.  The incumbent formulates, analyzes, revises, interprets, and evaluates program and fiscal policies for multiple departments under the jurisdiction of CalHHS. The Assistant Secretary also serves as chief coordinator of programs critical to the mission of CalHHS that may include health care reform, health care services, social services, mental health services, alcohol and drug treatment services, public health services, income assistance, and services to people with disabilities. Applications must be submitted by July 25.

DHCS is hiring for its accounting, auditing, and other teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars

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

Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC)/Behavioral Health (BH)-SAC Meeting  

On July 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the hybrid SAC/BH-SAC meeting (advance registration required for online and in-person participation) at 1700 K Street (first-floor conference room 17.1014), Sacramento. SAC provides DHCS with valuable input and feedback on efforts to ensure equitable access to quality health care. BH-SAC provides DHCS with input on behavioral health initiatives and was created as part of the ongoing effort to integrate behavioral health with the greater health care system. For more information, please email SACinquiries@dhcs.ca.gov or BehavioralHealthSAC@dhcs.ca.gov.

All-Comer ASCMI and DSAG Housing/Reentry Toolkit Webinar  

On July 29, from 3 to 3:50 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host an All-Comer Webinar to announce the release of the Authorization to Share Confidential Member Information (ASCMI) Form and provide an overview of the previously released Data Sharing Authorization Guidance (DSAG) Toolkits focused on Medi-Cal Housing Support Services and the Medi-Cal Justice-Involved Reentry Initiative. The ASCMI Form is a release of information form that Medi-Cal Partners, including counties, agencies, providers, health plans, community-based organizations, and others, may use to obtain their clients' consent to exchange their sensitive health and social services information. DHCS piloted the ASCMI Form in 2023 and is pleased to publish a revised version for Medi-Cal partners' use when seeking to exchange their members' sensitive information to coordinate their care. DSAG Toolkits illustrate real-world scenarios that will help Medi-Cal partners navigate complex data sharing and privacy laws and understand when consent is or is not needed to share information to support care coordination across sectors.  

Visit the Data Exchange and Sharing webpage for more information on DHCS' data exchange tools, guidance, and initiatives. For questions about these and other DHCS data sharing resources, please email DHCSDataSharing@dhcs.ca.gov.

Coverage Ambassador Webinar Series 

On July 31, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT, DHCS' Coverage Ambassador webinar (advance registration required) will include an overview of how the 2025-26 budget will impact the Medi-Cal program and new resources available. The session will also provide information about California Achieving a Better Life Experience (CalABLE), California's tax-advantaged savings and investment plan for individuals with disabilities. Coverage Ambassadors are encouraged to ask questions or share comments during the webinar.

Behavioral Health Transformation Public Listening Session

On July 31, from 12 to 1 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host a public listening session on Oversight and Monitoring and the Early Intervention Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) List under the Behavioral Health Services Act. Oversight and Monitoring is DHCS' systematic supervision and evaluation of how behavioral health services are delivered. The curated Early Intervention EBP List has been scientifically validated and proven effective for early intervention in behavioral health. During the session, members of the public can comment on several topics, including compliance reviews, enforcement policies, and the legislatively mandated Early Intervention EBP List. Individuals wishing to join must register to participate virtually.

Visit the Behavioral Health Transformation webpage for more information about the public listening sessions and additional resources. Please send questions related to Behavioral Health Transformation and/or the public listening sessions to BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov. Additionally, we encourage you to sign up for Behavioral Health Transformation updates.

In Case You Missed It

Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayments

The California Department of Health Care Access and Information opened the application period for the Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program, which offers financial relief to behavioral health professionals who commit to serving Medi-Cal patients in underserved areas. This program is available for behavioral health professionals with educational debt, including licensed prescribing behavioral health practitioners, non-prescribing licensed or associate level pre-licensure practitioners, and non-licensed non-prescribing practitioners, including substance use disorder counselors, community health workers, peer support specialists, and wellness coaches. The program is part of the Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) initiative's workforce development funding opportunities. A webinar recording will soon be posted that provides information on eligibility and the application process. The application cycle closes on August 15, 2025.