Transition of the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form to the Medi-Cal Provider Portal

What is changing?

The Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form is being transitioned from the current online (Nintex) platform, which is a web‑based digital form, to the Medi-Cal Provider Portal, which is a secure access point requiring registration. This change will require providers to log in using their unique Medi-Cal Provider Portal credentials (for example, username (email) and password) to submit the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form.

Why is this change happening?

This change is part of the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) ongoing efforts to strengthen program integrity and enhance utilization management controls. This transition will support improved data accuracy as well as streamlined processing and integration, but there will not be any material changes to the member, provider, and clinical information collected.

Does this change apply to all Medi-Cal members?

No. This change only applies to Medi-Cal fee-for-service members receiving hospice services from hospice providers directly billing DHCS. Hospice providers are not required to submit the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form through the Medi-Cal Provider Portal for Medi-Cal managed care members, and would instead follow requirements outlined in the most current, applicable All Plan Letter listed on DHCS’ webpage.

When will the transition to the Medi-Cal Provider Portal for the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form occur?

The transition will occur on September 1, 2026.

Will there be a transition period to allow hospice providers time to become acclimated to the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form in the Medi-Cal Provider Portal?

No, there will not be a transition period. As of September 1, 2026, hospice providers will be required to access and submit the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form through the Medi-Cal Provider Portal.

Will the current web-based digital (Nintex) Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form remain available?

No. As of September 1, 2026, the current web-based digital (Nintex) Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form will be permanently shut down and no longer accessible. As of this date, the Medi-Cal Provider Portal will be the only option to access and submit the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form.

Do some hospice providers already have access to the portal?

Yes. Hospice providers who currently bill DHCS directly for Medi-Cal Fee‑For‑Service (FFS) members should already be registered, as the portal is used for e-TAR submissions, claims, and other workflows.

What happens if hospice providers are not registered for the Medi-Cal Provider Portal?

Providers who have not registered and do not have unique Medi-Cal Provider Portal credentials will be unable to access the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form in the Medi-Cal Provider Portal starting on September 1, 2026. Any untimely submission, i.e., outside of the five (5) calendar days, of the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form could result in claim denials for hospice services. For more information on submission requirements, please refer to the Hospice Care section of the Medi-Cal Provider Manual.

How do hospice providers register for the Medi-Cal Provider Portal?

Providers are strongly encouraged to register in advance of September 1, 2026 to avoid potential issues with registration and timely submission of the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form once the transition occurs. Registration is done online through DHCS’ Medi-Cal Provider Portal webpage. Additional information on how to register can be found on the Medi-Cal Providers | New Providers webpage.

Can hospice providers use the Medi-Cal Provider Portal to update a Medi-Cal members’ status (e.g., discharge, revocation, or transfer)?

No, the change requiring hospice providers to submit Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Forms through the Medi-Cal Provider Portal does not change how hospice providers report Medi-Cal member status changes such as discharges, revocations, or transfers. Based upon current policy, if a Medi-Cal member’s hospice status changes, the hospice provider must notify DHCS, consistent with existing procedures as outlined in the Hospice Care section of the Medi-Cal Provider Manual, which includes providing written notice via email to DHCS’ Hospice Clerk at MCHospiceClerk@dhcs.ca.gov.

Can one set of unique hospice provider credentials to log into the Medi-Cal Provider Portal be used for multiple hospice providers?

No. Access to the Medi-Cal Provider Portal is tied to specific hospice provider records (including NPI). As a result, login credentials are not shared and hospice providers must be individually registered in the Medi-Cal Provider Portal to submit Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Forms.

Will training or additional instructions be given to hospice providers?

Yes. DHCS plans to release further details, training materials, and instructions on accessing and submitting the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form through the Medi-Cal Provider Portal in the coming months. Please visit DHCS’ Hospice Care webpage for the most up-to-date information.

How do hospice providers stay informed on future changes to hospice policy and related processes?

Hospice providers are strongly encouraged to sign up for the free Medi-Cal Subscription Service (MCSS). Subscribers receive subject-specific emails for urgent announcements and other updates shortly after they post to the Medi-Cal website.

Who can I contact with questions?

For assistance, visit DHCS’ Hospice Care webpage or email the DHCS Hospice Clerk at MCHospiceClerk@dhcs.ca.gov.

When can hospice providers start submitting the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form through the Medi-Cal Provider Portal and will early testing be available?

Submission of the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form through the Medi-Cal Provider Portal begins on September 1, 2026. Unfortunately, no early testing is available. As a result, DHCS strongly encourages hospice providers to sign up for the Medi-Cal Provider Portal as soon as possible and be ready to transition to submission using this method as of the effective date.

Will training include screenshots and step by step guidance?

Yes. The training and technical assistance (TA) webinar, which will take place on August 26, 2026, will provide full navigation guidance. For those who cannot attend, the webinar material will be posted to the Hospice DHCS website. DHCS will also offer TA office hours on September 3, September 15, and October 6 from 10:00–11:00 a.m. PT.

Is the submission of the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form through the Medi-Cal Provider Portal mandatory?

Yes. For Medi-Cal FFS members, hospice providers are required to submit the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form through the Medi-Cal Provider Portal. This requirement to submit the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Form through the Medi-Cal Provider Portal does not apply to Medi-Cal managed care members. Hospice providers are required to submit the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Election Notice (Form 8052) to the member’s respective MCP.

Is the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Election Notice (DHCS 8052) still required?

Yes. The Medi–Cal Hospice Program Election Notice (DHCS 8052) is used by hospice providers to document Medi-Cal FFS members’ election of hospice care, their informed consent, and their original signature. Hospice providers must retain the Medi-Cal Hospice Program Election Notice (DHCS 8052) in the Medi-Cal FFS member’s medical record and make it available to DHCS upon request and/or in the event of a state or federal audit.

Is completion of the Patient Notification Non-Covered Items, Services and Drugs Form (DHCS 8053) mandatory?

No. Hospice providers may choose to complete the Patient Notification Non-Covered Items, Services and Drugs Form (DHCS 8053) when Medi-Cal FFS members agree to receive hospice services. However, this form is optional and is not submitted to DHCS, but kept in the medical record of the Medi-Cal member at the hospice agency, and may be requested by DHCS

Some Medi-Cal MCPs require the Patient Notification Non-Covered Items, Services and Drugs Form (DHCS 8053), including for dually eligible members with Medicare as their primary coverage. Is this correct?

The Patient Notification Non-Covered Items, Services and Drugs Form (DHCS 8053) is optional pursuant to Medi-Cal policy and Medicare guidance. However, Medi-Cal MCP policies may vary by individual MCP and hospice providers are expected to follow those policies, as specified.