CalAIM Medi-Cal’s Strategy to Support Health and Opportunity for Children and Families
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The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is responsible for the health care of more than 50 percent of California’s children and is committed to improving their health, supporting their families, and reducing barriers and disparities in care. To achieve these aims, DHCS launched
Medi-Cal’s Strategy to Support Health and Opportunity for Children and Families in March 2022, which integrates existing and new child and family health initiatives and strengthens DHCS’ accountability and oversight of children’s services. DHCS was guided by the following principles and considerations when shaping this strategy:
- Addressing health disparities and advancing health equity;
- Implementing a whole-child, preventive approach to care informed by families' needs and preferences;
- Providing family and community-based care that considers the health of a child's parents, caregivers, and siblings in the context of the communities in which they live;
- Promoting integrated care across service delivery systems and subspecialties;
- Improving accountability and oversight in the delivery of services; and
- Looking beyond Medi-Cal to foster DHCS partnerships.
Action Areas
The strategy includes eight action areas with key initiatives illustrating where DHCS is strengthening its focus on children and families enrolled in Medi-Cal. These action areas include:
- New leadership structure and engagement approach
- Stronger coverage base for California's children
- Stronger pediatric preventative and primary care
- Streamlined access to pediatric vaccinations
- New health plan accountability for quality outcomes
- Family-centered approach
- Child and adolescent behavioral health investments
- Next steps on the foster care model of care
Key Documents
- Medi-Cal for Kids & Teens Outreach & Education Toolkit (February 2023)
- Medi-Cal's Strategy to Support Health and Opportunity for Children and Families (March 2022)
Informational Webinars
Medi-Cal for Kids & Teens Outreach & Education Toolkit All Comer Webinar (March 1, 2023)
On Wednesday, March 1st from 11:00am- 12:00pm PT, DHCS hosted a webinar focused on the recently published Medi-Cal for Kids & Teens Outreach & Education Toolkit. The federal and state requirement, known as Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT), gives children and youth from birth to age 21 access to preventive and medically necessary treatment services. DHCS developed the Toolkit to promote understanding of and access to EPSDT-covered services, which are available to the 5.7 million children, teens, and young adults enrolled in Medi-Cal. Included in the Medi-Cal for Kids & Teen Outreach & Education Toolkit are two enrollee-facing brochures (a child version and a teen / young adult version), a member-facing letter explaining Medi-Cal rights for children, teens, and young adults, and a standardized training for Medi-Cal managed care providers. The All Comer webinar provided interested stakeholders the opportunity to learn more about the Toolkit, including how it was developed; how consumers, providers, and stakeholders can access the materials; and how the Toolkit will help advance Medi-Cal's Strategy to Support Health & Opportunity for Children & Families. Final materials are posted below.
CalAIM EPSDT Enrollee Facing Materials All Comer Webinar (November 18, 2022)
On Friday, November 18th from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT, DHCS hosted a webinar focused on the EPSDT Outreach & Education Toolkit's enrollee-facing materials. The federal and state requirement, known as Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT), gives children and youth under 21 access to preventive and medically necessary treatment services. DHCS is developing materials through an EPSDT Outreach & Education Toolkit to promote understanding of and access to EPSDT-covered services, the comprehensive healthcare services available to the 5.6 million children and youth enrolled in Medi-Cal. Included in the EPSDT Outreach & Education Toolkit are two enrollee-facing brochures (a child version and a teen/young adult version), a “Know Your Medi-Cal Rights" letter, and a rebranding of the “EPSDT" name. The brochures provide an overview of EPSDT, including covered services, how to access those services, and the importance of preventive care. The “Know Your Medi-Cal Rights" letter provides information on what to do if Medi-Cal care is denied, reduced, or stopped, including who to contact and how to file grievances and appeals. The All Comer webinar provided interested stakeholders the opportunity to share public feedback and comment on the enrollee-facing materials. The draft materials are posted below.
Medi-Cal's Strategy to Support Health and Opportunity for Children and Families All Comer Webinar (March 2022)
Additional Resources
