DHCS Stakeholder News – April 7, 2023
Mga Update sa Programa
Pagwawakas ng COVID-19 Flexibilities para sa Family PACT at Updated Client Enrollment Policy
On March 26, 2020, DHCS published guidance that allowed Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment (Family PACT) providers to enroll and recertify clients through telehealth or other virtual/telephonic communication methods during the federally-declared COVID-19 PHE. This flexibility is temporary and is set to end upon termination of the PHE on May 11, 2023.
In preparation for the end of the PHE, DHCS updated the client enrollment policy, allowing Family PACT providers to continue enrolling and recertifying clients through synchronous or telephonic modalities post-PHE. The draft policy was open for public comment, and on April 14, the final client enrollment policy will be published in a Family PACT Update Bulletin. Additionally, DHCS’ responses to comments received will be published on the Office of Family Planning webpage.
Effective for dates of service on or after May 12, 2023, Family PACT providers must adhere to the updated Client Eligibility section published in the Family PACT Policies, Procedures, and Billing Instructions manual.
Recovery Incentives Program: California’s Contingency Management (CM) Benefit
Inaprubahan ng DHCS ang Social Model Recovery System: Pasadena Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, ang unang site sa estado na nagsimulang mag-alok ng mga serbisyo ng CM bilang bahagi ng Recovery Incentives Program. Simula sa linggo ng Abril 3, ang mga kwalipikadong miyembro ng Medi-Cal ay maaaring magsimulang makatanggap ng mga serbisyo ng CM sa lokasyong ito. Inaasahan ng DHCS na ang mga karagdagang site ay maaaprubahan sa isang rolling basis habang ang pagsasanay sa pagpapatupad at mga kinakailangan sa pagtatasa ng kahandaan ay nakumpleto. Para sa mga tanong, mangyaring mag-email sa RecoveryIncentives@dhcs.ca.gov.
Update sa Pagpopondo ng Proyekto ng Health Enrollment Navigators
On April 7, 2023, DHCS sent a mandatory survey to Health Enrollment Navigators Project partners to provide an opportunity for them to receive the remaining project funding. The survey asks partners to describe how they will use additional funds on two focused activities: Medi-Cal renewal activities, and targeted outreach efforts on the Medi-Cal ages 26-49 expansion for undocumented Californians and asset elimination. DHCS worked with key stakeholders on this funding opportunity and how DHCS would strategically utilize these funds. During the week of May 1, DHCS anticipates completing its review of proposals and awarding funding. Approved partners can then begin implementing their funded activities.
The Health Enrollment Navigators Project reconciled partner payments for the $59.72 million appropriated via Assembly Bill 74 (Chapter 23, Statutes of 2019), with a remaining balance of $3.38 million. Also, there is an unallocated balance of $226,000 from the $60 million appropriated via Senate Bill 154 (Chapter 43, Statutes of 2022), for a total of $3.6 million remaining to be allocated.
Additionally, DHCS posted the 35 individual partner work plans for public consumption on the Project Partners Section webpage. These work plans will detail the specific actions, tasks, approaches, and target population groups for each partner’s project activities. The partner’s direct contact information aims to facilitate interaction and collaboration between partners and community-based organizations to maximize project efforts and impact.
Mga Pagpapanumbalik ng Medi-Cal (Carr v. Becerra)
DHCS published Medi-Cal Eligibility Division Information Letter (MEDIL) 23-18 regarding the reinstatement of eligibility for certain individuals enrolled in the Medicare Savings Program during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) from March 1, 2020, through March 31, 2023. This updated guidance for counties was issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
On April 5, DHCS restored the original Medicare Savings Program eligibility to 37,796 affected individuals based on refreshed data from the end of March. Medi-Cal members will remain in the same tier of Medicare Savings Program coverage until their continuous coverage unwinding Medi-Cal renewal is completed.
Sa simula ng Mayo, ipapaalam ng DHCS sa apektadong populasyon ang tungkol sa muling pagbabalik at magbibigay ng impormasyon tungkol sa pagbabayad ng anumang mga premium ng Medicare Part A na binayaran mula sa bulsa ng mga naibalik na miyembro.
Paparating na Letter of Intent Grant Deadline para sa Indian Health Program (IHP)
Naglaan ang DHCS ng $2.55 milyon mula sa magagamit na $11.4 milyon para sa ikalawang round ng IHP Request for Application (RFA), na magpapahintulot sa mga bagong aplikante ng IHP na mag-aplay para sa pagpopondo. Ang round two na mga aplikante ay maaaring humiling ng hanggang $150,000 upang suportahan ang pangangalap ng pangunahing pangangalaga at mga pagsisikap sa pagpapanatili para sa taon ng pananalapi 2022-23. Ang mga interesadong Indian health clinic corporations ay dapat magsumite ng letter of intent nang hindi lalampas sa Abril 14. Tatanggap lang ang DHCS ng tugon ng RFA mula sa mga aplikanteng nagsumite ng letter of intent. Mangyaring mag-email sa TribalAffairs@dhcs.ca.gov upang humiling ng kopya ng form. Ang mga aplikante na nakatanggap ng pagpopondo sa ilalim ng unang round ng proseso ng RFA ay hindi karapat-dapat para sa mga karagdagang pondo.
Smile, California Campaign for Medi-Cal Dental Services
During the week of April 10, to preparation for the Every Kid Healthy Week at the end of April, Smile, California will debut the new “Healthy Smiles from Pregnancy Through the Toddler Years” brochure to educate Medi-Cal members about the importance of practicing healthy dental habits during every life stage and visiting the dentist regularly. This brochure will be in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean, and will be featured on all communication channels during this promotional period. To ensure information is shared with as many Californians as possible, Smile, California will begin to make website updates to SmileCalifornia.org and SonrieCalifornia.org, launch organic and social media campaigns for Instagram and Facebook, disseminate a Smile Alert and member bulletin, and leverage relationships with statewide partners to promote the new brochure. When promoting the brochure, Smile, California will also push existing materials and resources that were developed for pregnant individuals and new parents.
Sumali sa Aming Koponan
DHCS is hiring for our fiscal, human resources, legal, auditing, health policy, and information technology teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.
Ang DHCS ay nakatuon sa pangangalaga at pagpapabuti ng pangkalahatang kalusugan at kagalingan ng lahat ng mga taga-California. Ang misyon ng DHCS ay magbigay sa mga pinakamahihirap na residente ng patas na pag-access sa abot-kaya, pinagsama, mataas na kalidad na pangangalagang pangkalusugan, at kasalukuyang binabago ang programa ng Medi-Cal upang matiyak na ibinibigay nito ang pangangalagang kailangan ng mga taga-California upang mamuhay ng mas malusog, mas maligayang buhay.
Mga Paparating na Mga Pagpupulong ng Stakeholder at Webinar
Buwanang Pampublikong Webinar ng Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI).
On April 10, from 3 to 4 p.m., DHCS will host a public webinar (advance WebEx registration required) to keep stakeholders apprised of DHCS’ progress in implementing various CYBHI workstreams. Key attendees include, but are not limited to, youth, parents, family members, behavioral health providers, Medi-Cal managed care plans, county behavioral health departments, and commercial health plans, as well as educational and other cross-sector partners. This webinar was previously scheduled for March 29.
Enhanced Care Management (ECM) at Community Supports Data Guidance Webinar
Sa Abril 13, mula 12 hanggang 1 p.m., ang DHCS ay magho-host ng isang ECM at Community Supports webinar (kinakailangan ang paunang pagpaparehistro) upang maglabas ng mga bagong pamantayan sa patnubay sa data na sumusuporta sa pagpapalitan ng impormasyon sa pagitan ng mga pinamamahalaang plano sa pangangalaga (MCP) at mga tagapagbigay ng Suporta sa Komunidad. Ang DHCS ay magbabahagi din ng mga update sa umiiral na patnubay sa data ng ECM at Community Supports CalAIM, batay sa feedback ng stakeholder sa unang taon ng pagpapatupad.
Ang pagbabahagi ng impormasyon sa mga MCP, provider, county, organisasyong nakabatay sa komunidad, at DHCS ay mahalaga para sa matagumpay na pagpapatupad at pangmatagalang pag-aampon ng ECM at Community Supports. Ang webinar na ito ay mag-aalok sa mga MCP, kasalukuyan at inaasahang ECM at Community Supports provider, at iba pang interesadong stakeholder ng pagkakataong matuto nang higit pa tungkol sa ECM at Community Supports data exchange, magtanong, at magkaroon ng kaalaman tungkol sa mga pangunahing pagbabago para sa 2023.
Kung sakaling Nalampasan Mo Ito
California’s Reproductive Health Access Section 1115 Demonstration (CalRHAD)
On March 16, DHCS launched 30-day public and Tribal public comment periods to solicit feedback on a proposed CalRHAD Medicaid Section 1115 demonstration; comments are due by April 17. DHCS is seeking approval from CMS to provide competitive grants to reproductive health providers to enhance capacity and access to sexual and reproductive health services, promote the sustainability of California’s reproductive health provider safety net, and benefit individuals enrolled in Medi-Cal and other individuals who currently face barriers to such access.
Additional information about the CalRHAD application and how to submit public comments are available on the CalRHAD webpage.
Dementia Care Aware Bagong Screening Tool
DHCS recently announced that primary care providers in California have a new dementia screening tool, the cognitive health assessment, available to help identify cognitive decline in their patients (age 65 and older) and determine next steps. Dementia Care Aware, a statewide initiative led by DHCS, provides training on this new assessment and support through a warmline to help primary care providers successfully screen for dementia in older adults.