DHCS Stakeholder News Update - March 18, 2022
Dear Stakeholders,
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is providing this update of significant developments regarding DHCS programs, as well as guidance related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Medi-Cal Direct Contract with Kaiser Permanente Update
DHCS has
released a detailed document outlining its proposal to enter into a direct contract with Kaiser Permanente as a Medi-Cal managed care plan (MCP) in several regions of the state, effective January 1, 2024. Under the new contract, subject to federal approvals, Kaiser would operate as a full-risk, full-scope Medi-Cal MCP, consistent with other Medi-Cal MCPs. Kaiser will no longer be granted specific exceptions or alternative standards. DHCS is proposing trailer bill language to clarify its statutory authority to maintain and expand direct, full-risk contracts with Kaiser, defined under current state law as an Alternate Health Care Service Plan. Subject to federal approval, the direct contracts would be available in any geographic areas in which Kaiser operates, including County Organized Health Systems/single plan model counties, Two-Plan model counties, regional model counties, and Geographic Managed Care model counties.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 988 Website Now Live
SAMHSA recently rolled out a new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline website, available at
samhsa.gov/988. The 988 website is designed to serve as a one-stop-shop for 988 resources from SAMHSA. Notably, the website contains a 988 partner toolkit, which is intended for SAMHSA's 988 implementation partners (crisis call centers, state mental health programs, substance use treatment providers, behavioral health systems, and others) to provide
key messages,
FAQs, and more information about what 988 is and how it will work.
Although the transition to 988 happens on July 16, SAMHSA is making these materials available now to facilitate partner efforts for collaborative and aligned 988 communication planning. These materials are designed to cover the basics of 988 and provide a strong foundation from which partners can build for their audience-specific needs. SAMHSA welcomes partner efforts in building off of these materials, testing with specific audiences, and sharing our learnings with each other.
In the weeks and months to come, SAMHSA will add more tools and resources to the 988 website, so please bookmark it and visit often.
Published COVID-19 Information
Additional updates will be posted on the
DHCS COVID-19 Response page.
