DHCS Stakeholder Update – March 3, 2023
Top News
End of the Public Health Emergency (PHE): Key Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Dates
The announcement that the federal COVID-19 PHE will end on May 11, 2023, has implications for Medicaid and CHIP programs. Additionally, DHCS is acting to make permanent several flexibilities implemented over the course of the PHE. Below is a summary of end dates for key federal Medicaid provisions, with additional details on how DHCS is unwinding the PHE in the Medi-Cal program.
關於美國救援計劃法（ARPA）下的醫療補助和 CHIP COVID-19 條文：
Optional COVID-19 Group for Uninsured Individuals: California has taken advantage of the “optional COVID-19 group” that provides uninsured individuals with Medi-Cal coverage for COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatment. This coverage expires on the last day of the PHE (May 11). In order to prepare individuals in this group for the end of the PHE, DHCS will send member notices on April 24, 2023.
No-Cost Coverage for COVID-19 Vaccines, Testing, and Treatment to Members: Medicaid is required to cover COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatment with no cost-sharing for members through the last day of the first calendar quarter that begins one year after the last day of the COVID-19 PHE. DHCS is electing to permanently extend coverage for COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatment at no cost beyond the ARPA coverage period.
Enhanced Federal Match for COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccine Administration: States receive 100 percent federal matching funds for coverage of vaccines and vaccine administration, as enacted by ARPA. These matching funds also end on the last day of the first calendar quarter that begins one year after the last day of the COVID-19 PHE (September 30, 2024). As described above, Medi-Cal will continue to cover COVID-19 vaccine and vaccine administration.
關於 PHE 實施的法定靈活性：
Section 1135 waivers expire at the end of the PHE (May 11). Medicaid programs are unable to extend flexibilities authorized under 1135 waivers. Additionally, DHCS is electing to discontinue emergency Medi-Cal provider enrollment flexibilities, effective March 29, 2023, as recently announced.
Medicaid Disaster Relief State Plan Amendments (SPAs) typically expire at the end of the PHE (May 11), but DHCS is making permanent many policies authorized under Disaster Relief SPAs. For details on the specific policies that are being made permanent through the traditional SPA process, please see Part I of the Medi-Cal COVID-19 PHE and Continuous Coverage Operational Unwinding Plan.
Section 1915(c) Appendix K or Section 1115 Attachment K termination dates vary by waiver, but typically will be no later than six months after the end of the PHE. Similarly, DHCS intends to make some 1915(c) and 1115 flexibilities permanent Medi-Cal policies beyond the end of the PHE. For details on these policies, please see part I of the Medi-Cal COVID-19 PHE and Continuous Coverage Operational Unwinding Plan.
專案更新
現正開放：提供訪問和轉型健康（PATH）技術幫助（TA）市場應用程序
On February 27, DHCS opened the PATH TA Marketplace Project Eligibility Application. Medi-Cal service providers who submitted the Recipient Registration Form and have been approved as a TA recipient may now shop and apply for no-cost TA services through the Marketplace. TA services are being offered by an initial selection of 47 unique vendors. They will assist providers, community-based organizations (CBOs), Medi-Cal Tribal and Designees of Indian Health Programs, counties, and other eligible TA recipients build and deliver successful Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports. To learn more, visit ca-path.com/ta-marketplace.
PATH Capacity and Infrastructure Transition, Expansion, and Development (CITED) Round 2 Application Now Open
On February 28, DHCS opened the PATH CITED Round 2 application window. The PATH CITED initiative provides funding to on-the-ground partners, such as CBOs, public hospitals, county agencies, Tribes, and others to help them successfully participate in the Medi-Cal delivery system. New companies are encouraged to become Medi-Cal providers to deliver Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports. Entities interested in applying for Round 2 are encouraged to join the upcoming informational webinar on March 3, from 10 to 11 a.m., to learn more about CITED funds and the application process. The deadline to apply for CITED Round 2 funding is May 31, 2023.
Please visit ca-path.com/cited to apply and for more information. For questions, please email cited@ca-path.com.
兒童助聽器保障計劃（HACCP）行動計劃和通信工具包
On March 1, DHCS released the HACCP Action Plan, which provides an overview of DHCS’ comprehensive strategy on HACCP improvements in 2023 with actionable tactics to improve provider participation and increase program enrollment.
此外，DHCS 於 2 月 28 日發布了HACCP 溝通工具包和專案資料儀表板，以支援這些目標。該工具包包括符合 HACCP 資格的家庭和醫療服務提供者的社交媒體資訊和可列印的宣傳資料，以及 DHCS 的HACCP 專案資料網頁。更多項目資訊請造訪DHCS的HACCP網頁。
Monkeypox (Mpox) Vaccine Administration
醫療保險中心 & 醫療補助服務（CMS）最近批准了 SPA 22-0062，以僅接種疫苗接觸的服務費（FFS）費率退還聯邦合格健康中心（FQHC），農村健康診所（RHCs），印度健康服務協議備忘錄（IHS-MOA）和部落 FQHC 診所提供者。 它回溯到 17 月 2022，並延長到 Mpox 州公共衛生緊急情況結束（1 月 31，2023）結束。
在符合資格的門診就診期間，由符合資格的醫療服務提供者接種的麻疹疫苗，有權按其各自的預付製或全包費率獲得報銷。提醒醫療服務提供者，每次接種麻疹疫苗要麼屬於合格的門診就診，要麼只屬於疫苗接種就診，兩者不可兼得。符合資格的醫療服務提供者可以開始為參加 Medi-Cal 管理式醫療計劃的成員提交僅接種麻痘疫苗的索賠申請。自 3 月10 、 2023起，醫療服務提供者可以按照 12 月13 、 2022發表的文章「按醫療保險費率報銷麻疹疫苗」中的說明，為 FFS 會員提交索賠。醫療服務提供者將獲得 120 天的寬限期，可以提交僅針對麻痘疫苗接種的就診記錄。
加州醫療補助健康保健計劃 Rx
二月 24, 2023, 第二階段的 Medi-Cal Rx 恢復計劃的第二階段成功實施。 提供者必須提交 46 種額外的藥物類別，包括醫療用品，以及 22 歲以上的會員提交新開始藥物的預先授權。
A 30-day countdown alert, entitled Phase III Lift 1: Retirement of the Transition Policy for Beneficiaries 22 Years of Age and Older, was also released to announce the next phase of the Medi-Cal Rx Reinstatement Plan. This is a reminder that Medi-Cal Rx will initiate the first of a series of transition policy lifts for members ages 22 and older starting on March 24, 2023.
加入我們的團隊
DHCS is hiring for our fiscal, human resources, legal, auditing, health policy, and information technology teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.
DHCS 致力於保護和改善所有加利福尼亞州人的整體健康和福祉。
DHCS 的使命是為最脆弱的居民提供公平的機會獲得經濟實惠、綜合、高質量的醫療保健服務，並目前正在改變 Medi-Cal 計劃，以確保它提供加利福尼亞人生活更健康、更快樂的生活所需的護理。
即將舉行的利害關係人會議和網絡
護理設施融資改革網絡研討會
On March 10, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., DHCS will host a stakeholder webinar (advance registration required) to discuss the development of the Workforce Standards Program and present an update on the Workforce and Quality Incentive Program. Additional information is posted on the Nursing Facility Financing Reform (AB 186) webpage.
如果你錯過了
California Awards $4.6 Million to Emergency Departments (EDs) to Train Behavioral Health Navigators
On March 1, DHCS awarded more than $4.6 million to 39 hospitals with EDs, each receiving $120,000 to train behavioral health navigators to help expand access to substance use disorder and mental health services. The awards are part of DHCS’ CalBridge Behavioral Health Navigator Program. CalBridge is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 under key initiatives for Medi-Cal’s Home and Community-Based Services, and aims to train and expand the ED workforce to address the urgent need for behavioral health patient care. These awards are part of a larger effort by CalHHS to strengthen California’s health and human services workforce.