DHCS Stakeholder News Update - April 22, 2022
Dear Stakeholders,
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is providing this update of significant developments regarding DHCS programs.
Draft Population Health Management (PHM) Strategy and Roadmap
Next week, DHCS will release the draft PHM Strategy and Roadmap for public comment. As a cornerstone of CalAIM, the PHM program will launch in January 2023. It will establish a cohesive, statewide approach that ensures all Medi-Cal members have access to a comprehensive program that leads to longer and healthier lives; improved health outcomes; and health equity. The draft PHM Strategy and Roadmap document describes DHCS' vision for PHM, outlining key policy initiatives and accountability mechanisms, defining and describing PHM concepts and terminology, and detailing requirements for Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) for 2023 and 2024. The draft PHM Strategy and Roadmap will be available on the DHCS CalAIM Population Health Management webpage for public comment. Written comments must be submitted to CalAIM@dhcs.ca.gov by 5 p.m. PDT on Monday, May 16, 2022.
On April 26, DHCS will host the next PHM Advisory Group meeting. Members of the public may attend, and registration is required. DHCS will also host a public webinar focused on the PHM Service later this spring. More details will be posted on the CalAIM Population Health Management webpage.
Biden Administration Awards Funding to DHCS to Strengthen Crisis Call Center Services
On April 19, the Department of Health and Human Services, through its Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), awarded nearly $105 million in grant funding to 54 states and territories in advance of the July transition to the 988 dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. DHCS received nearly $14.5 million to improve response rates, increase capacity, and ensure calls are quickly routed to local call centers for people in need. DHCS may also use the funding to build the workforce necessary for enhancing local text and chat response, working with the California Lifeline call center network.
Until the formal launch of 988 in July 2022, anyone in mental health crisis or emotional distress should call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1(800) 273-TALK (8255). People not in crisis who are seeking treatment options for mental health conditions should visit findtreatment.samhsa.gov or call 1(800) 662-HELP (4357). More information is available on the SAMHSA website.
