​​​DHCS Stakeholder News - September 29, 2023

Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Technical Assistance (TA) Marketplace – Revised TA Recipient Access Policy
On September 29, DHCS announced the revised policy for accessing free TA resources available through the PATH TA Marketplace. Effective immediately, all approved TA recipients may now access both off-the-shelf TA projects and hands-on TA projects in all seven TA domains, regardless of if they are contracted with a MCP or other eligible entity to provide Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and/or Community Supports. Learn how free TA services offered through the PATH TA Marketplace can strengthen your organization's ability to build and deliver quality ECM and Community Supports by visiting the PATH TA Marketplace webpage. Please submit any questions regarding the revised access policy to ta-marketplace@ca-path.com.
 

PATH TA Marketplace Round 3 Vendor Application

On October 1, DHCS will open the PATH TA Marketplace Round 3 vendor application window. The PATH TA Marketplace is a virtual marketplace for TA services, a one-stop-shop website where entities can access free TA resources from curated and approved vendors to help build their capacity to transform Medi-Cal. Organizations must apply to qualify as a TA Marketplace vendor before the October 31 deadline. Visit the TA Marketplace vendor webpage for more information and to apply. For questions, please email ta-marketplace@ca-path.com.
 

Medi-Cal Rx

On September 27 and 28, DHCS delivered the first presentations to update stakeholders on DHCS' plans to advance Medi-Cal Rx. DHCS presented to the Pharmacy Directors meeting and the California Association of Medical Product Suppliers meeting. Also, on September 22, Reinstatement Phase 4, Lift 2 was successfully implemented. Drug cost ceiling and prior authorization for enteral nutrition and specific standard therapeutic classes for members 22 years of age and older have been reinstated. Additionally, as of September 22, the new COVID-19 vaccines appropriately reimburse the cost of the commercial vaccines (in addition to a $40 incentive fee).

Join Our Team

DHCS is 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 reflect DHCS' tremendous work to transform the state's health care system and strengthen organizational excellence.
 

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars

Consumer-Focused Stakeholder Workgroup (CFSW) Meeting

On October 6, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., DHCS will host the CFSW meeting. The purpose of the CFSW is to provide stakeholders an opportunity to review and provide feedback on a variety of consumer messaging materials. The forum will focus on eligibility- and enrollment-related activities and offer an open discussion on Medi-Cal policies and functionality. CFSW participants are advocates from the consumer protection community, representatives of provider associations, and experts in the health care field. Please email any questions to DHCSCFSW@dhcs.ca.gov. All meeting materials will be posted on the DHCS CFSW webpage no later than October 4.
 

CalAIM ICF/DD Carve-In Promising Practices Webinar

On October 6, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., DHCS will virtually host the third in a series of educational webinars (advance registration required) on the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled (ICF/DD) carve-in. The goal of these webinars is to provide stakeholders with an understanding of the ICF/DD carve-in policy requirements and how to support members when all Medi-Cal MCPs will be required to cover and coordinate institutional long-term care for members residing in an ICF/DD beginning on January 1, 2024. The webinar will focus on promising practices that MCPs, ICF/DD homes, and Regional Centers can consider as they prepare for the ICF/DD carve-in to take effect. Webinars are open to the public.

Additional details about upcoming webinars are available on the CalAIM ICF/DD Long-Term Care Carve-In transition webpage. Email questions or comments to LTCtransition@dhcs.ca.gov.
 

Medicare Coverage Choices in California: Webinar

On October 11 at 1 p.m., DHCS and the California Department of Aging will jointly host a webinar entitled, "Navigating Medicare Coverage Choices in California, Including Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits" (advance registration required). Presenters will include Stephanie Fajuri from the Center for Health Care Rights, an expert in Medicare choices for consumers, and Nils Franco from ATI Advisory, a lead analyst for the review of Medicare Advantage Plan supplemental benefits in California. 

The webinar will share helpful information for consumers, families, health care providers, and the public policy community. It will include a presentation and question and answer session on Medicare coverage choices for consumers during the Medicare Open Enrollment period from October 15 to December 7, as well as highlight a newly released DHCS chartbook on supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage Plans in California for contract year 2023. The chartbook is part of a series of chartbooks available on the DHCS Office of Medicare Innovation and Integration webpage. For questions or comments, please email OMII@dhcs.ca.gov.

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

On October 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., DHCS will host the next SAC and BH-SAC hybrid meeting (advance registration required). It will open as a joint meeting, with topics shared by SAC and BH-SAC. A BH-SAC-only meeting will be held after the joint meeting; there is no SAC-only meeting. Participants may attend in person at The California Endowment, located at 1414 K Street in downtown Sacramento, or virtually. For more information, please visit the SAC and BH-SAC webpages.
 

In Case You Missed It

Medicare Medi-Cal Plans: Information for Stakeholders

On September 22, DHCS posted Medicare Medi-Cal Plans fact sheets in English, Spanish, Hmong, Vietnamese, Traditional Chinese/Cantonese, Russian, and Khmer/Cambodian on the Medicare Medi-Cal Plan webpage. 

The 2024 Medicare open enrollment period is from October 15 to December 7, with plan coverage taking effect on January 1, 2024. Californians in 12 counties will be eligible to enroll in Medicare-Medi-Cal Plans, a type of Medicare Advantage plan in California only available to dual eligible members. Medicare Medi-Cal Plans provide more comprehensive care, and benefits in both programs are coordinated by one managed care plan. In 2024, Medicare Medi-Cal Plans will be available in the following counties: Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Tulare. Please contact DHCS with any questions or comments about Medicare Medi-Cal Plans at info@calduals.org. ​​​