DHCS Stakeholder News - May 5, 2023
Top News
Release of Updated Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports Implementation Data
DHCS released updated ECM and Community Supports data, highlighting early implementation activity (January 2022 through September 2022) and growth in provider capacity and member enrollment in ECM and Community Supports, particularly among historically underserved populations. California continues to strengthen its capacity to deliver ECM and Community Supports services as part of the state's efforts to transform Medi-Cal under California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM).
Medi-Cal Member Email and Text Service
As part of the Medi-Cal redetermination campaign, DHCS this week began emailing and texting Medi-Cal members who opted in to receive emails and/or texts. The content reminds members about their upcoming eligibility renewal and informs them to watch for a yellow envelope coming soon in the mail with important renewal forms and information. Messages will be sent to members on a rolling basis, prior to their renewal month, and throughout the continuous coverage unwinding period. Messages have been translated in all 19 Medi-Cal threshold languages and are being sent to members in their preferred language. DHCS is also allowing members to opt out of receiving messages.
Program Updates
Update on Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Round 2 and 3 Application Windows
On May 1, DHCS opened the PATH Justice-Involved Initiative Round 3 application window. Round 3 funding will support correctional agencies, county behavioral health agencies, and other justice-involved stakeholders as they implement personnel, capacity, and/or IT systems that are needed for collaborative planning and implementation in order to effectuate pre-release service processes. For more information, visit the Justice-Involved Capacity Building Program website.
DHCS also clarified the timeline to request retroactive funding during Round 2 of the PATH CITED application window, which closes on May 31. PATH CITED applicants may request retroactive funding from January 1, 2022, until the release of applications for the CITED funding round for which the entity is applying. DHCS and the PATH third-party administrator erroneously communicated during CITED webinars that the earliest date for retroactive funding requests is January 1, 2021.
Retroactive funding requests are subject to strict requirements. DHCS will review requests on a case-by-case basis and reserves the right to deny requests or to approve them at a lesser amount than the entity's initial investment or requested amount. Office hours will be held every Friday through May 26 from 10 to 11 a.m. to answer questions about PATH CITED funding, including retroactive funding requests. Access an office hour link by visiting ca-path.com/cited. Questions can be emailed to cited@ca-path.com.
Join Our Team
DHCS is hiring! DHCS has an immediate opening for Deputy Director and Chief Counsel, Office of Legal Services. This executive role offers the right attorney an opportunity to lead DHCS' legal team in providing comprehensive legal and regulatory services and advice regarding Medi-Cal and behavioral health.
DHCS is also hiring for our fiscal, human resources, legal, auditing, health policy, communications, and information technology teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.
DHCS is dedicated to preserving and improving the overall health and well-being of all Californians. DHCS' mission is to provide the most vulnerable residents with equitable access to affordable, integrated, high-quality health care, and is currently transforming the Medi-Cal program to make sure it provides the care Californians need to live healthier, happier lives.
Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars
Doula Services Stakeholder Workgroup Meeting Schedule
DHCS has scheduled the next three public meetings of the Doula Implementation Workgroup to discuss the rollout of the doula benefit. The workgroup met for the first time on March 30, 2023, and will continue to meet quarterly through June 2025. The workgroup will examine possible barriers to services and make recommendations for a DHCS report that will be issued by July 1, 2025. The next three meetings will be held on:
- Friday, June 23, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 12 to 2 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 31, 2024, from 2 to 4 p.m.
To be added to the invitation list, email DoulaBenefit@dhcs.ca.gov. Only workgroup members may speak during the meetings, although all participants may contribute through the chat function. Information about the doula benefit is available on the Doula Services as a Medi-Cal Benefit webpage.
In Case You Missed It
DHCS Awards Millions for Youth Substance Use Prevention
On May 3, DHCS awarded nearly $17 million to 44 community-based and tribal organizations, which will be used toward developing and increasing substance use disorder prevention services through civic engagement and culturally competent programs. These awards are part of Elevate Youth California, a statewide DHCS program addressing substance use disorder. Elevate Youth California will grant up to $400,000 to each organization focused on substance use prevention to strengthen its operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational infrastructure.
Medi-Cal Minute: Medi-Cal Services for Eligible Justice-Involved Youth and Adults
On January 26, 2023, California became the first state in the nation approved to offer a targeted set of Medicaid services to youth and adults in state prisons, county jails, and youth correctional facilities prior to release. The recent Medi-Cal Minute interview with Sydney Armendariz, Chief of the Justice Initiative Branch in DHCS' Office of Strategic Partnerships, explains what this means for Californians.
DHCS Issues Clinic Workforce Stabilization Retention Payments
On April 28, DHCS issued more than $56 million in Clinic Workforce Stabilization Retention Payments (CWSRP). The funds were released to approved, qualified clinics representing more than 56,000 employees. Qualified clinics will have 60 days from the receipt of funds to disburse payments to approved employees. Requirements and guidance are posted on the CWSRP webpage. Email questions to cwsrp@dhcs.ca.gov. CWSRP are separate from and additional to the Hospital and Skilled Nursing Facility COVID-19 Worker Retention Payments disbursed in March and early April.
