Overview

Senate Bill (SB) 1019 aims to address historically low utilization of Medi-Cal Non-Specialty Mental Health Services (NSMHS) services by requiring Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) to develop and provide annual outreach and education about covered NSMHS to Members and primary care providers (PCPs). SB 1019 highlights the importance of outreach and education to help Members and PCPs better understand how to access these services.

SB 1019 also requires MCPs to submit their annual NSMHS outreach and education plan to for approval to The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). 

Goals

SB 1019 requires DHCS to consult with stakeholders representative of diverse racial and ethnic communities, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, mental health stigma reduction experts, community-based organizations, and Medi-Cal managed care plan stakeholders, to develop the standards by which outreach and education plans will be reviewed and approved. The goal of these stakeholder sessions will be to review proposed standards, solicit stakeholder expertise, and allow for stakeholder feedback. Applicable feedback will be incorporated into final outreach and education plan approval standards.  

Next Meeting

Meeting Dates and Materials

• May 21, 2024: Introduction of goals, review of required elements for outreach, and education plan approval standards
• May 28, 2024: Tribal Partners Meeting – Introduction of goals, review of required elements for outreach, and education plan approval standards 
• July 9, 2024: Development of Outreach and Education Approval Standards – Final Workshop 

* Dates are subject to revision; Meeting materials will be added when they become available. 

Resources

•  SB 1019 Bill Text
• All Plan Letter APL # 24-012: Non-Specialty Mental Health Services: Member Outreach, Education and Experience Requirements. 
• SB 1019 Plan Approval Standards

Contact Us

Please direct your comments, questions, or suggestions regarding SB 1019 to the following email address: SB1019@dhcs.ca.gov.