DHCS Stakeholder News - September 8, 2023
Top News
Medi-Cal Renewals Update
DHCS today published the July 2023 Medi-Cal continuous coverage unwinding eligibility measures data on the Medi-Cal Enrollment and Renewal Data webpage. The July dashboard includes data on Medi-Cal enrollment, applications in progress, redeterminations, and disenrollments. For the first time, this data set includes demographic details for all redetermination measures, along with the top reasons for disenrollments.
Navigator Support for Community Health Centers and Regional Clinic Associations
On September 1, DHCS distributed $20 million to the California Primary Care Association (CPCA) to support clinic navigators in fiscal year 2023-24. Through Assembly Bill 102 (Chapter 38, Statutes of 2023), funding was allocated to CPCA to contract with community health centers and regional clinic associations to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate health enrollment navigator services on Medi-Cal outreach, enrollment, and retention. CPCA will serve as the third-party administrator for contracting activities, such as encouraging community health centers and regional clinic associations to apply for funds, reviewing and approving proposals, and coordinating and reporting to DHCS on subcontractor work.
Program Updates
Chartbook: Supplemental Benefits in Medicare Advantage Plans
On September 5, DHCS published a Medicare data chartbook, entitled “Supplemental Benefits in Medicare Advantage Plans in California, Contract Year 2023". This chartbook examines Medicare Advantage plans' supplemental benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing, and over-the-counter medications, and how these benefits may support the state's growing Medicare population. Variations in supplemental benefit offerings show how Medicare Advantage plans can be designed to influence access to key supports for California Medicare beneficiaries.
Join Our Team
DHCS is hiring! DHCS has an immediate opening for Chief of the Population Health Management Division within Quality and Population Health Management (the final filing date is September 25). This executive role leads the strategy, policy, oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of population health management.
DHCS is also hiring for our fiscal, human resources, legal, auditing, health policy, and information technology teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.
DHCS' purpose is to provide equitable access to quality health care leading to a healthy California for all. DHCS' goals and objectives express the tremendous work DHCS is leading to transform our health care system and strengthen our organizational excellence.
Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars
Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Justice-Involved Program Office Hours for Round 3 Eligible Agencies
From September 11 through December 18, DHCS will host a series of PATH Justice-Involved Program virtual office hour sessions (advance registration required) for Round 3 eligible agencies. Office hours will be held every other Monday at 11:30 a.m. to provide assistance to Round 3 agencies, including supporting implementation plan submission. For more information, visit the Justice-Involved Program website.
Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Program (HACCP) Webinar for Families and Community Partners
On September 12, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., DHCS will host a HACCP webinar (advance registration required) to share guidance with families and communities about applying for hearing aid coverage and helping children to maximizing their HACCP benefits once enrolled. DHCS welcomes newly interested families, those who are currently participating in HACCP, and community partners supporting families and children to join this webinar for program updates, tips, and a question-and-answer session. For more information, please visit www.dhcs.ca.gov/haccp.
CYBHI EBP/CDEP Grants Program Webinar
On September 13, from 1 to 2 p.m., DHCS will virtually host a public webinar (advance registration required) on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) and Community-Defined Evidence Practices (CDEP) grants program. This webinar will focus on the “Round Three: Early Childhood Wraparound Services" Request for Application (RFA). DHCS will provide technical assistance by sharing responses to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about EBP/CDEP. Please email questions about the RFA to CYBHI@dhcs.ca.gov. DHCS will post the FAQs to the CYBHI EBP/CDEP grants webpage by September 11.
Doula Implementation Workgroup Meeting
On September 14, from 12 to 2 p.m., DHCS will host the Doula Implementation Workgroup meeting. Please see the agenda and Doula Services as a Medi-Cal Benefit webpage for more information. The meeting will include a report on DHCS' Birthing Care Pathway proposal and the role of doulas, as well as planning for future meetings. The workgroup is responsible for reviewing how to increase the availability of doula services through educational outreach programs, identifying and minimizing barriers to doula services, and addressing delays in payments and reimbursements to doulas and members.
HACCP Webinar for Medical Providers and Hearing Professionals
On September 14, from 12 to 1 p.m., DHCS will host a HACCP webinar (advance registration required) 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. For more information, please visit www.dhcs.ca.gov/haccp.
CalAIM: Subacute Care Facility Carve-In Webinar
On September 15 at 9:30 a.m., DHCS will virtually host the first in a series of educational webinars (advance registration required) about the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) long-term care (LTC) carve-in of subacute care facilities in Medi-Cal managed care. The goal of these webinars is to provide subacute care facilities and Medi-Cal MCPs with an understanding of the carve-in to better operationalize the new benefit, including the scope of services and relevant policies (network readiness requirements, continuity of care, intersection with CalAIM, etc.), in preparation for the January 1, 2024, carve-in.
This first webinar will provide background on the carve-in, the requirements for contracting with DHCS' Subacute Contracting Unit, and implementing policy requirements. More information is posted on the CalAIM Intermediate Care Facility for Developmentally Disabled Long-Term Care Carve-In webpage. Please email questions or comments to LTCtransition@dhcs.ca.gov.
In Case You Missed It
Introducing the Medi-Cal Communications Cohort
Join DHCS in spreading the word about the Medi-Cal transformation and the vital importance of Medi-Cal to millions of Californians. We invite your organization to join the Medi-Cal Communications Cohort, a new group of dedicated communicators. Together, we will work to promote the value of Medi-Cal to members, providers, and communities across California.
To join us and learn more about the Medi-Cal Communications Cohort, please email DHCSGetInvolved@dhcs.ca.gov. We look forward to collaborating with you.
