​​October 21, 2024 - Stakeholder Update​​

Top News

Medi-Cal Coverage of Traditional Healers and Natural Helpers

On October 16, DHCS announced that the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the state's request to cover Traditional Healer and Natural Helper Services in the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System, which will expand access to culturally based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services for eligible Medi-Cal members accessing this care through Indian Health Services facilities, Tribal health clinics, and Urban Indian organizations.

Traditional healers may use an array of interventions, including music therapy (such as traditional music and songs, dancing, and drumming), spirituality (such as ceremonies, rituals, and herbal remedies), and other integrative approaches. Natural helpers may assist with navigational support, psychosocial skill building, self-management, and trauma support to restore the health of Medi-Cal members receiving care from Indian Health Care Providers. Read what they're saying about this historic approval.

Program Updates

Enhanced Care Management for Long-Term Care Populations

DHCS is spotlighting how Enhanced Care Management (ECM) is transforming care for adults in or at risk of entering long-term care (LTC) settings. The ECM Population of Focus Spotlight shows how providers can deliver life-changing, intensive care management to help Medi-Cal members safely remain in their homes and communities. With practical tips and real-life stories, this resource offers a roadmap for current and future ECM providers, including how to tap into vital Community Supports services that make a real difference in member lives.

Assembly Bill 988 Five-Year Implementation Plan

The California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) is inviting public comment on the draft AB 988 Five-Year Implementation Plan from November 4 to 14. CalHHS is required to prepare the AB 988 Five-Year Implementation Plan as part of Assembly Bill 988 (the Miles Hall Lifeline and Suicide Prevention Act). The plan provides recommendations to support the implementation of a comprehensive 988 crisis system. The draft AB 988 Five-Year Implementation Plan will be available on the CalHHS 988-Crisis Policy Advisory Group website on November 4. Please send written comments to AB988Info@chhs.ca.gov before November 14.

Additionally, on November 4, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. PST, CalHHS will host an informational webinar on the plan (advance registration required). The webinar recording and materials will be posted on the CalHHS 988-Crisis Policy Advisory Group website within one week following the webinar. Please email any questions to AB988Info@chhs.ca.gov.

Join Our Team

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

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars

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 aims to collaborate with communities across the state to promote harm reduction within California's SUD treatment system and create low-barrier, patient-centered care. DHCS encourages SUD treatment providers and staff (including social workers, peers, front desk staff, case managers, nurses, physicians, and all staff in SUD treatment settings) to attend and learn about best practices for incorporating the tenets of harm reduction into SUD treatment. Additional summits will be held in Fresno County, Los Angeles County, and San Diego County in winter 2025. Register on the event website.

Chosen Family Webinar: Contraception for Transgender and Gender Diverse People

On October 29, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. PDT, DHCS and the California Prevention Training Center will host the Chosen Family: Contraception for Transgender and Gender Diverse People webinar (advanced registration required). Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people represent a growing subset of patient populations, yet many continue to report a lack of provider knowledge when it comes to TGD health. This webinar will build upon TGD health terminology and competency essentials by reviewing evidence-based recommendations for contraceptive counseling. For those unable to attend the live webinar, a transcript and recording of the webinar, along with additional resources will be available on the Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment website at a later date.

LTC Learning Series: LTC Policy Update 

On November 4, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. PST, DHCS will host a LTC Policy Update session (advance registration required) as part of the educational LTC Learning Series. The LTC Policy Update will provide a dedicated forum for DHCS to engage with institutional LTC stakeholders, including intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled, skilled nursing facilities, and subacute care providers, as well as Medi-Cal managed care plans, on updates to LTC guidance, relevant California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiatives, and other important LTC policies that provide a comprehensive approach to supporting LTC members. 

LTC Learning Series participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance when registering for the session or by emailing them to LTCtransition@dhcs.ca.gov. Additional information about the LTC Learning Series is available on the CalAIM LTC Carve-In transition webpage.

Skilled Nursing Facility Workforce Standards Program

On November 6, from 10 to 11 a.m. PST, DHCS will host a provider webinar (advance registration required) to provide an overview of the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Workforce Standards Program (WSP) opt-in process launched by DHCS on October 1. Providers can send questions they would like answered during the webinar to SNFWSP@dhcs.ca.gov by October 30.

This program will provide an increased Workforce Rate Adjustment to SNFs that maintain a collective bargaining agreement, participate in a statewide multi-employer labor management committee, or meet basic wage and benefit standards established by DHCS. The SNF WSP makes available more than $500 million annually to enable SNFs to recruit and retain a workforce that provides high-quality long-term care to Medi-Cal members. SNFs wishing to participate in the WSP for calendar years 2024 and 2025 must submit the required opt-in materials no later than December 1, 2024. Please visit the SNF WSP webpage for more information.

Medi-Cal Children's Health Advisory Panel (MCHAP) Meeting

On November 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PST, DHCS will host the quarterly MCHAP meeting at 1500 Capitol Avenue, Building 172/Room 168, Sacramento, 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 Behavioral Health Transformation, Medi-Cal's Strategy to Support Health and Opportunity for Children and Families , and mobile dentistry.

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

On November 12, from 12 to 1 p.m. PST, DHCS will host the quarterly HACCP webinar for medical providers and hearing professionals. For more information and to register, please visit DHCS' HACCP webpage.

HACCP Webinar for Families and Community Partners

On December 3, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PST, DHCS will host a webinar to share guidance with families and community partners about applying for hearing aid coverage and maximizing HACCP benefits once enrolled. For more information and to pre-register, please visit the HACCP webpage.