Hulyo 7, 2025
Nangungunang Balita
Pederal na Batas
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.
Mga Highlight sa Badyet ng Estado ng DHCS
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.
Inilabas ng DHCS ang Pinakabagong Pamamahala sa Pinahusay na Pangangalaga at Suporta ng Komunidad sa Quarterly Report
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:
- Mula nang ilunsad ang ECM noong Enero 2022, mahigit 326,000 miyembro ng Medi-Cal ang nakatanggap ng benepisyong ito, na nagbibigay ng komprehensibo, nakasentro sa tao na koordinasyon sa pangangalaga para sa mga taong may kumplikadong pangangailangan.
- Sa huling quarter ng 2024 lamang, halos 150,000 miyembro ang nakatanggap ng mga serbisyo ng ECM, kabilang ang higit sa 31,000 mga bata at kabataang wala pang 21 taong gulang. Ito ay halos apat na beses na mas mataas kaysa noong nagsimula ang mga serbisyo para sa mga grupong ito noong kalagitnaan ng 2023. Ang mga Suporta ng Komunidad ay nagpatuloy din sa paglawak.
- Noong Disyembre 2024, mahigit 368,000 miyembro ng Medi-Cal ang naka-access sa mga benepisyong ito, na may higit sa 920,000 kabuuang serbisyong naihatid upang matugunan ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan tulad ng pabahay at nutrisyon.
Ang ulat ay nagpapakita ng pag-unlad sa pagtulong sa mga miyembro na mamuhay nang mas malusog, mas matatag na buhay, at ang lumalaking kapasidad ng mga network ng provider sa buong estado na maihatid ang mga serbisyong ito nang epektibo.
Mga Update sa Programa
Pederal na Update: Gabay para sa Medi-Cal at Family PACT Provider na Inisyu bilang Tugon sa 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.
Mga Pagbabayad sa Utang ng Mag-aaral sa Kalusugan ng Pag-uugali
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.
Bagong Doula Benefit Implementation Report Inilabas
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.
Ang mga Certified Wellness Coach ay Kwalipikado na Ngayon para sa Medi-Cal Reimbursement
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.
Sumali sa Aming Koponan
DHCS is hiring for its accounting, Medi-Cal dental, communications, community services, and other teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.
Mga Paparating na Mga Pagpupulong ng Stakeholder at Webinar
Nagpo-post ang DHCS ng mga paparating na pampublikong pagpupulong sa Calendar of Events. Nagbibigay ang DHCS ng mga libreng serbisyong pantulong, kabilang ang interpretasyon ng wika, real-time na caption, at alternatibong pag-format ng mga materyales sa pagpupulong. Upang humiling ng mga serbisyo, mangyaring mag-email sa DHCS sa naaangkop na email address sa pakikipag-ugnayan nang hindi bababa sa sampung araw ng trabaho bago ang pulong.
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.
Protektahan ang Access sa Health Care Act Stakeholder Advisory Committee (PAHCA-SAC) Meeting
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 Meeting
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.
Kung sakaling Nalampasan Mo Ito
Partnership HealthPlan of California Inanunsyo ang Mga Nanalo ng Inaugural 2025 CalAIM Make a Difference Award
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 Justice-Involved Round 4 Application
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.
Na-update na Manual ng Patakaran ng BHSA County
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.