DHCS Stakeholder News Update - March 25, 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.
DHCS Extends Postpartum Care Coverage Period
Effective April 1, 2022, DHCS will extend the postpartum care coverage period for currently eligible and newly eligible pregnant individuals. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Postpartum Care Expansion (PCE) extends the coverage period from 60 days to 365 days (one year) for individuals eligible for pregnancy and postpartum care services in Medi-Cal and the Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP). ARPA PCE coverage includes the full breadth of medically necessary services during pregnancy and the extended postpartum period.
Pregnant and postpartum individuals do not have to request PCE or provide any additional information. All Medi-Cal and MCAP eligible individuals who report a pregnancy or are in their postpartum period are automatically eligible for ARPA PCE, regardless of immigration status or how the pregnancy ends. All DHCS systems have been programmed and are ready for April 1 implementation. For questions about this expansion of postpartum care, please email Pregnancy@dhcs.ca.gov.
Second Set of Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Available by Request
The Biden Administration is providing a second set of free at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests. Anyone with a U.S. residential address can request four at-home COVID-19 tests to be delivered directly to their home through the federal government website: www.covidtests.gov. DHCS encourages all Californians to take advantage of this opportunity. To place an order, provide your name and residential address; no other identification, credit card, or health insurance information is required. These tests will be delivered in the mail through the U.S. Postal Service within 7-12 days after ordering. There is also an option to provide an email address to receive email notifications with shipping updates.
Published COVID-19 Information
Additional updates will be posted on the DHCS COVID-19 Response page.
