Lub Xya Hli 7, 2025
Xov xwm tshaj plaws
Tsoom Fwv Teb Chaws Txoj Cai
The recently signed House Resolution (H.R.) 1, the federal budget reconciliation bill, will significantly reduce funding for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and other safety net programs that are lifelines for millions of Californians. DHCS leaders have emphasized that these cuts pose real risks to essential services that support the health, stability, and economic security of families and communities across California. DHCS is reviewing the impacts of these changes and will provide more information and direction as it becomes available.
DHCS Lub Xeev Cov Nyiaj Txiag Tseem Ceeb
On June 27, Governor Newsom signed the fiscal year 2025-26 state budget. DHCS will publish budget highlights later this month. In the meantime, please see the Governor’s Office press release on the budget.
DHCS Tshaj Tawm Tshaj Tawm Tshaj Tawm Txog Kev Tswj Xyuas Kev Noj Qab Haus Huv thiab Kev Pabcuam Hauv Zej Zos Peb Lub Hlis
On July 3, DHCS published the latest quarterly report on Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports, with new data from October to December 2024. The report highlights continued growth and positive impacts from these services:
- Txij li thaum ECM tau tshaj tawm thaum Lub Ib Hlis 2022, ntau dua 326,000 Medi-Cal cov tswv cuab tau txais cov txiaj ntsig no, uas muab kev sib koom ua ke saib xyuas txhua tus neeg nyob hauv nruab nrab rau cov neeg muaj kev xav tau nyuaj.
- Hauv lub quarter kawg ntawm 2024 ib leeg, ze li ntawm 150,000 tus tswvcuab tau txais kev pabcuam ECM, suav nrog ntau dua 31,000 tus menyuam yaus thiab cov hluas hnub nyoog qis dua 21 xyoos. Qhov no yog ze li plaub npaug ntau dua li cov kev pabcuam rau cov pab pawg no pib thaum nruab nrab-2023. Kev Txhawb Zej Zog kuj tseem nthuav ntxiv.
- Raws li lub Kaum Ob Hlis 2024, ntau dua 368,000 tus tswv cuab ntawm Medi-Cal tau nkag mus rau cov txiaj ntsig no, nrog ntau dua 920,000 tag nrho cov kev pabcuam xa mus los daws cov kev xav tau tseem ceeb xws li vaj tse thiab khoom noj khoom haus.
Daim ntawv tshaj tawm qhia txog kev vam meej hauv kev pab cov tswv cuab muaj kev noj qab haus huv, lub neej ruaj khov, thiab kev loj hlob ntawm cov chaw muab kev pabcuam thoob plaws lub xeev kom xa cov kev pabcuam no tau zoo.
Kev hloov kho tshiab
Tsoom Fwv Teb Chaws Hloov Kho: Kev taw qhia rau Medi-Cal thiab Tsev Neeg PACT Cov Kws Pab Tswv Yim Tshaj Tawm hauv Teb rau HR 1
On July 4, the President signed H.R. 1, which includes Section 71113, Federal Payments to Prohibited Entities. DHCS issued guidance to Medi-Cal and Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment Program (Family PACT) providers that meet the definition of “Prohibited Entities” under H.R. 1 regarding service delivery and claims submission. In addition, DHCS issued All Plan Letter (APL) 25-011 to provide guidance to Medi-Cal managed care plans on the handling of payments to impacted Medi-Cal and Family PACT providers. For questions about this guidance, please email DHCS’ Office of Family Planning at OFPStakeholder@dhcs.ca.gov.
Kev Them Nyiaj Rau Cov Tub Ntxhais Kawm Kev Noj Qab Haus Huv Kev Noj Qab Haus Huv
On July 1, the California Department of Health Care Access and Information opened the application period for the Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program, which offers financial relief to behavioral health professionals who commit to serving Medi-Cal patients in underserved areas. The program is part of the Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) initiative’s workforce development funding opportunities. A webinar will be held on July 9, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. PDT, to provide information on eligibility and the application process. A recording of the webinar will be available online within ten days after the webinar date. The application cycle closes on August 15, 2025.
Daim Ntawv Qhia Txog Kev Siv Nyiaj Txiag Tshiab Doula tso tawm
On July 1, DHCS posted the Doula Benefit Implementation Report, as required by Senate Bill 65 (Chapter 449, Statutes of 2021). Beginning on January 1, 2023, DHCS added doula services as a covered Medi-Cal benefit. The Doula Benefit Implementation Report evaluates the first 18 months of implementation, focusing on member utilization, comparison of birth outcomes between Medi-Cal members who used doula support and those who did not, barriers to access, and stakeholder feedback. Utilization is steadily increasing—as of June 30, 2024, more than 1,000 Medi-Cal members utilized one or more doula services, with wide variation by county and Medi-Cal managed care plan. The report also includes recommendations from the Doula Implementation Stakeholder Workgroup to improve access and streamline implementation. For more information, please visit the Doula Services as a Medi-Cal Benefit webpage or email DoulaBenefit@dhcs.ca.gov.
Certified Wellness Coaches Tam sim no tsim nyog tau txais Medi-Cal nyiaj rov qab
On June 24, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved State Plan Amendment (SPA) 25-0014, making Certified Wellness Coaches (CWC) eligible for reimbursement through Medi-Cal. Employers can now bill Medi-Cal to help offset the cost of hiring and retaining CWCs, strengthening their impact in communities statewide. With nearly 2,500 certified coaches already serving youth across urban and rural communities, this change enhances both career pathways and access to care. The CWC certification, available at no cost, continues to grow as a promising workforce strategy.
Koom nrog peb pab neeg
DHCS is hiring for its accounting, Medi-Cal dental, communications, community services, and other teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.
Cov Rooj Sib Tham Cov Neeg Koom Tes thiab Webinar yuav los tom ntej
DHCS tshaj tawm cov rooj sib tham pej xeem yav tom ntej ntawm Daim Ntawv Teev Npe ntawm Cov Txheej Txheem. DHCS muab cov kev pabcuam pub dawb, suav nrog kev txhais lus, kev sau npe hauv lub sijhawm, thiab hloov pauv cov ntaub ntawv sib tham. Txhawm rau thov cov kev pabcuam, thov xa email rau DHCS ntawm tus email chaw nyob uas tsim nyog tsawg kawg kaum hnub ua haujlwm ua ntej lub rooj sib tham.
Medi-Cal Children’s Health Advisory Panel (MCHAP) Meeting
On July 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the quarterly MCHAP meeting at 1700 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95811, in the first-floor conference room (17.1014) or via public webinar (advance registration required). MCHAP advises DHCS on policy and operational issues that affect children in Medi-Cal. The meeting will provide information about improving children’s preventive care outcomes, updates on the California Children’s Services Quality Metric Redesign, and details about Medi-Cal vision services.
Tiv thaiv Access to Health Care Act Stakeholder Advisory Committee (PAHCA-SAC) Lub Rooj Sib Tham
On July 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT (the time is subject to change), DHCS will host the PAHCA-SAC meeting (advance registration for online participation required) at 1700 K Street (first-floor conference room 17.1014), Sacramento. The committee is responsible for advising DHCS on developing and implementing components of the PAHCA of 2024 (Proposition 35).
SAC/Behavioral Health (BH)-SAC Lub Rooj Sib Tham
On July 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the hybrid SAC/BH-SAC meeting (advance registration required for online and in-person participation) at 1700 K Street (first-floor conference room 17.1014), Sacramento. SAC provides DHCS with valuable input and feedback on efforts to provide equitable access to quality health care. BH-SAC provides DHCS with input on behavioral health initiatives and was created as part of the ongoing effort to integrate behavioral health with the greater health care system. The agenda and other meeting materials will be posted as the meeting date approaches. For more information, please email SACinquiries@dhcs.ca.gov or BehavioralHealthSAC@dhcs.ca.gov.
Hauv Case Koj Tsis Tau Nws
Partnership HealthPlan ntawm California tshaj tawm cov neeg yeej ntawm Inaugural 2025 CalAIM Ua ib qho khoom plig sib txawv
Partnership HealthPlan of California, a Medi-Cal managed care plan, launched the CalAIM Make a Difference Award program, awarding a total of $182,500 to the inaugural winners. The award recognizes the leadership and commitment to advancing the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative. According to Partnership HealthPlan, winning organizations exemplify dedication and innovation while making a meaningful impact in their communities and were selected based on several factors, such as success in building capacity over the past year, demonstrated commitment to quality, and timeliness in reporting submissions. Combined, the awardees provide services to all 24 counties in Partnership HealthPlan’s service area.
PATH Kev Ncaj Ncees-Involved Round 4 Daim Ntawv Thov
On May 12, DHCS opened the Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Justice-Involved Round 4 application window. The deadline to apply for Round 4 funding is July 11, 2025. Only PATH Justice-Involved Round 3 awardees are eligible for the Justice-Involved Round 4 funding opportunity, and applications must be submitted on behalf of county sheriff’s offices, county probation offices, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and county behavioral health agencies. Eligible agencies will receive email communications with instructions on how to apply. For more information about PATH Justice-Involved Round 4, please visit the PATH Justice-Involved webpage. All resources are available under “Reference Materials.” Please submit questions to justice-involved@ca-path.com.
Hloov kho BHSA County Txoj Cai Phau Ntawv Qhia
On June 30, DHCS released updates to the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) County Policy Manual, reflecting content from Module 3, which was reviewed during the public comment period held between April 7 and April 25, 2025. The updates provide clear guidance and timelines for counties as they prepare to submit their draft Integrated Plan (due March 31, 2026) and final Integrated Plan (due June 30, 2026). These updates will assist counties, behavioral health providers, Tribal partners, and other behavioral health partners in increasing accountability and improving transparency and efficiency in California’s behavioral health system. For specific questions about the policy manual or any technical requests, please email BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov.