August 26, 2024 - Stakeholder Update
Program Updates
New Transitional Care Services Technical Assistance Resource
On August 21, DHCS released a new
technical assistance resource dedicated to ensuring successful transitional care services for Medi-Cal members with long-term services and supports (LTSS) needs. Under the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM)
Population Health Management initiative, Medi-Cal managed care plans are responsible for delivering transitional care services to ensure members are supported from the start of the discharge planning process through their transition, until they have been successfully connected to all needed services and supports. Given the variety and complexity of available services and supports for this population across the Medi-Cal program, DHCS developed this new resource to demonstrate how plans can best support their members with LTSS needs while undergoing transitions of care.
Medi-Cal managed care plans have the flexibility to leverage different services and supports to meet each member's unique circumstances. DHCS' vision is that Medi-Cal members requiring LTSS can remain in the least restrictive setting that meets their preferences and needs and optimizes their quality of life. Transitions of care occur when a member transfers from one setting or location of care to another, like a discharge from a hospital to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) or from a SNF to a home or community-based setting.
Join Our Team
DHCS is seeking a highly skilled, exceptionally motivated individual to serve as:
- Chief of the Office of Family Planning to lead the Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment (FPACT) program, which provides family planning services for low-income individuals and families. The Chief also develops and implements complex and sensitive policies related to FPACT, family planning, and sexual and reproductive health services in the Medi-Cal program. (Final filing date: September 4)
DHCS is also hiring for its
legislative and governmental affairs, human resources, auditing, health policy, information technology, and other teams. For more information, please visit the
CalCareers website.
Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars
Behavioral Health Services Act Revenue and Stability Workgroup Meeting
On August 27, from 1 to 3 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the
Behavioral Health Services Act Revenue and Stability Workgroup meeting at DHCS, 1500 Capitol Avenue, Room 72.168, Sacramento, or via webinar. The meeting's purpose is to assess year-over-year fluctuations in tax revenues generated by the Behavioral Health Services Act, in recognition of the need for a reliable strategy for short-term and long-term fiscal stability. Public comments are welcome. Learn more about DHCS'
Behavioral Health Transformation.
CalAIM MLTSS and Duals Integration Workgroup Meeting
On August 29 at 12 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the virtual
CalAIM Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) and Duals Integration Workgroup meeting (advance registration 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.
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.
Senate Bill (SB) 770 – Health Care Financing - Public Input Meeting
On August 30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. PDT, the California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) and UCLA Center for Health Policy Research will host a
public webinar on
SB 770 (Chapter 412, Statutes of 2023), which requires CalHHS to develop a federal waiver framework for and submit a report on a unified health care financing system in California, in consultation with stakeholders. CalHHS contracted with the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research to research and draft an interim report. UCLA will present its initial research and key design issues. Participants will be able to comment on the interim report. Additional public feedback may be provided by emailing
SB770publiccomment@chhs.ca.gov.
Medi-Cal Children's Health Advisory Panel (MCHAP) Meeting
On September 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the quarterly MCHAP meeting at 1500 Capitol Avenue, Building 172 in the ABC Training Rooms, or via
public webinar. MCHAP advises DHCS on policy and operational issues that affect children in Medi-Cal. The meeting will provide an update on Enhanced Care Management and new benefits, review the AB 2083 Children and Youth System of Care supplementary analysis to the multiyear plan report, and provide a Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative update.
Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Program (HACCP) Webinar for Families and Community Partners
On September 12, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the quarterly HACCP webinar for families and community partners. For more information and to
pre-register, please visit DHCS'
HACCP webpage.
DHCS Harm Reduction Summits
Registration is currently open for the first two DHCS Harm Reduction Summits in Shasta County (October 24) and San Mateo County (November 19). Through these convenings, DHCS hopes to collaborate with communities across the state to change the culture around the concept of harm reduction within California's substance use disorder treatment system and to create low-barrier, patient-centered care. DHCS encourages substance use disorder treatment providers and staff (including social workers, peers, front desk staff, case managers, nurses, physicians, and all staff in substance use disorder treatment settings) to attend and learn about best practices for incorporating the tenets of harm reduction into substance use disorder treatment settings. The remaining summits will be in Fresno County, Los Angeles County, and San Diego County in winter 2025. Register on the
event website.
In Case You Missed It
Mental Health Treatment Facility Groundbreaking
On August 20, DHCS and Mendocino County celebrated the
groundbreaking of a new psychiatric health facility that will address critical gaps in mental health and substance use disorder treatment. The facility will provide intensive psychiatric treatment services to a diverse range of individuals, and services will extend beyond the county, reaching people throughout the North Coast region.
DHCS awarded $1.7 billion in Behavioral Health Infrastructure Continuum Program (BHCIP) competitive grants. DHCS will distribute up to $4.4 billion in competitive BHCIP grants under Proposition 1 bond funds.
Behavioral Health Transformation is DHCS' work to implement
Proposition 1. DHCS holds regular public listening sessions, and updates and recordings of the sessions are available on the
Behavioral Health Transformation webpage.
Critical Funding Opportunity Available to Expand Behavioral Health Services
On July 17, DHCS released the Bond BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready Request for Applications. Eligible organizations can apply for funding to construct, acquire, and rehabilitate properties for behavioral health services for Medi-Cal members. Interested parties can find application instructions on the BHCIP website and submit their applications by December 13, 2024. This initiative, part of Proposition 1, seeks to transform California's mental health and substance use disorder systems, providing more comprehensive care for the state's most vulnerable populations. For more information, contact DHCS at BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov.
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) 1915(c) Waiver for the Developmentally Disabled and 1915(i) State Plan Amendments – 30-Day Public Comment Period
On August 2, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), in partnership with DHCS, posted a proposed amendment to the HCBS 1915(c) waiver and the HCBS 1915(i) State Plan Amendment (SPA) for a 30-day public comment period, prior to submitting the final versions to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for approval. All comments must be received by September 1, 2024. DDS and DHCS invite all interested parties to review the amendment and comment instructions on the DDS HCBS Programs webpage. If you have any questions, or to comment on the waiver amendment and/or SPA, please email federal.programs@dds.ca.gov.
