December 29, 2023 - Stakeholder News
Top News
End-of-Year Message from DHCS Director Michelle Baass
Thank you for helping us achieve another banner year at DHCS. We're implementing a multi-year transformation of Medi-Cal to ensure Californians get the care they need. Every day, Californians are gaining access to new and improved services—or getting covered for the first time. We're addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time, including homelessness and youth mental health needs. We're building and expanding our programs to treat the whole person—both their physical and behavioral health—and addressing health-related social needs by offering Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports, such as transitions to stable housing and/or providing access to medically tailored meals.
Together, these changes represent a significant step forward in delivering a more coordinated, person-centered, and equitable health care system that works for everyone, regardless of where they live or their health needs. Although these changes will take time to fully implement, we should feel tremendously proud of what we're doing to transform people's lives. Your work brings us closer to realizing our purpose of a healthy California for all.
Read the full message that reflects on some of the Department's many accomplishments this year.
Program Updates
Equity and Practice Transformation (EPT) Learning Collaborative
DHCS is announcing a new partnership with the Population Health Learning Center to run the EPT Learning Collaborative. The EPT Provider Direct Payment Program is a one-time $650 million investment in a primary care practice transformation initiative focused on health equity, population health, and investing in upstream care models. DHCS will soon release a list of best practices.
The Population Health Learning Center will serve as the program office for the EPT Provider Directed Payment Program, working closely with DHCS, participating practices, and Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCP). All practices in the program must participate in Population Health Learning Center activities.
The Population Health Learning Center will also be responsible for the co-design of a technical assistance (TA) strategy for practices, monitoring practices' progress in meeting the programs' goals, and supporting adoption of evidenced-based models. The TA strategy will include partnering with technical experts across the state and country to develop a responsive and impactful program for participating practices. The Population Health Learning Center will leverage tools and resources designed and tested through the Population Health Management Initiative, which focuses on supporting federally qualified health centers working on similar efforts.
Join Our Team
DHCS is hiring:
- Assistant Deputy Director for Program Operations assists in leading, planning, organizing, and directing Program Operations, which is comprised of California Medicaid Management Information System-Operations, Clinical Assurance, Provider Enrollment, and Third-Party Liability and Recovery. (Final filing date is December 29)
DHCS is also hiring for our human resources, auditing, health policy, information technology, and other teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.
Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars
Consumer-Focused Stakeholder Workgroup (CFSW) Meeting
On January 5, from 10-11:30 a.m., DHCS will hold the next meeting of the CFSW. Meeting materials, including the agenda, will be posted on the DHCS CFSW webpage by noon on January 3.
In Case You Missed It
Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Capacity and Infrastructure Transition, Expansion, and Development (CITED) Round 3 Application
On December 18, DHCS published the PATH CITED Round 3 application outline to help prospective applicants prepare the resources and information required to complete their application. The application outline is intended to be used as a planning tool and intended to “preview" the application. It is not the formal application. Applicants are still required to apply for CITED Round 3 funding using the application link on the PATH CITED website.
January 2024 Medi-Cal MCP Transition
As part of Medi-Cal transformation, some MCPs are changing on January 1, and approximately 1.2 million members will have new health plan options and/or will need to transition to new MCPs. Changing MCPs will not affect Medi-Cal member coverage or benefits. Members transitioning to a new MCP received notices about the transition. DHCS developed several resources to support members, providers, and other stakeholders with the transition, including the Managed Care Plan Transition Member webpage with a county “lookup" tool, links to member notices sent by Medi-Cal about MCP changes, frequently asked questions, and a Contact Us page for members to learn more about health plans and provider choices. There are also transition resources for providers and MCPs and stakeholders. More information about the transition is available in the 2024 Managed Care Plan Transition Policy Guide and Medi-Cal Eligibility Division Information Letter Number I 23-54.
