DHCS Stakeholder News Update - June 10, 2022
Dear Stakeholders,
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is providing this update of significant developments regarding DHCS programs.
DHCS Celebrates Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ Community
DHCS celebrates Pride Month this June, and every month, recognizing the unique health care needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community. Health disparities in this community are often worsened by social determinants of health that are largely rooted in discriminatory practices.
DHCS supports policy and program efforts to close health equity gaps, including implementing the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative; establishing a Quality and Population Health Management program and creating a quality strategy and health equity roadmap; re-procuring Medi-Cal managed care health plans aimed at delivering high-quality, culturally competent care; redesigning the systems that support behavioral health for children, youth, and their families so they can get the equitable, appropriate, timely, and accessible services they need; and creating resources for providers to help engage with families on gender affirming care.
As we continue to enhance our organizational Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program, we are pursuing the important work of addressing the long-standing inequities impacting many of our Medi-Cal enrollees, which the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored. We will continue working to develop concrete policies to address these disparities so that all Californians have opportunities for healthy outcomes.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families and caregivers who are seeking health care can get the health coverage they need by applying for Medi-Cal year-round. To get started, they can call (800) 300-1506 or visit Covered California's website. We encourage you to help spread the word to your loved ones or friends who need check-ups, medical tests, dental, mental health, or other care: Medi-Cal can help.
DHCS Coverage Ambassadors Webinar (Spanish)
On June 21, 2022, from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., DHCS will virtually conduct a Spanish-language webinar on the DHCS Coverage Ambassador program. DHCS launched the statewide ambassador effort to help Medi-Cal beneficiaries keep their coverage or learn how to enroll in other health coverage. DHCS Coverage Ambassadors are trusted messengers representing diverse organizations who can reach beneficiaries in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways at the local level with targeted, impactful communication. The webinar will review the DHCS Coverage Ambassador program, its purpose, and the role ambassadors play in the unwinding of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Advance registration is required.
For more information, please visit the DHCS Coverage Ambassador webpage. Join the DHCS Coverage Ambassador mailing list to receive the latest information and updated toolkits as they become available.
PATH Funding for CalAIM Justice-Involved Program
On June 1, DHCS released the fillable application template for Round 1 of the Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Justice-Involved Capacity Building Program. Eligible entities can apply for Round 1 funding from now until July 31.
PATH is a $1.44 billion program approved under the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative. It provides transitional funding to invest in providers, counties, community-based organizations (CBOs), and other partners to support the state's efforts to maintain, build, and scale the capacity necessary to support and implement key initiatives under CalAIM.
California received funding to support implementation activities focused on pre-release Medi-Cal eligibility and enrollment, as part of the statewide justice-involved initiative. Funding for the PATH Justice-Involved Capacity Building Program will support collaborative planning as well as information technology (IT) system modifications necessary to implement pre-release Medi-Cal application and suspension processes. This program will provide two rounds of funding totaling $151 million for correctional agencies, correctional institutions, and county social service departments:
- Round 1: A planning grant funding opportunity for correctional agencies (or a county agency applying on behalf of a correctional agency) to support collaborative planning with county social service departments and other enrollment implementation partners to identify processes, protocols, and IT modifications that are necessary to support implementation of pre-release enrollment and suspension processes. The planning grant funding in Round 1 can be used to support development of the application for Round 2 implementation grant funding.
- Round 2: An implementation grant funding opportunity to support correctional agencies and county social service departments as they implement the processes, protocols, and IT system modifications that were identified during the Round 1 planning phase. Entities do not need to participate in Round 1 in order to apply for Round 2 funding.
DHCS previously released a non-fillable PDF version of the application template on May 13. Eligible applicants should use the new fillable PDF file when submitting a complete Round 1 application to DHCS.
For questions, please email CalAIMJusticePreReleaseApps@dhcs.ca.gov. For additional information, please visit the CalAIM Justice-Involved Initiative webpage.
Partnerships with the Community to Build CalAIM's Foundation
DHCS Director Michelle Baass and Chief Deputy Director Jacey Cooper recently sat down with Sacramento Covered, a health care access and care coordination nonprofit, to discuss the power of partnerships and how they create the foundation for CalAIM's long-term commitment to transform and strengthen Medi-Cal. With the investment and sustained commitment of a broad network of health partners, including plans, providers, and community-based organizations like Sacramento Covered, CalAIM can change the trajectory of beneficiaries' lives by maximizing their health and quality of life.
Watch the video to learn more about how partnerships build CalAIM's foundation and can contribute to a better Medi-Cal for Californians.
Revisions to the Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment (PACT) Provider Enrollment and Responsibility Requirements
On June 13, DHCS will re-release draft provider enrollment and responsibilities policy updates for the Family PACT program, and will re-open the public comment period for an additional 14 days to provide stakeholders more time to review and comment on proposed updates. The updates: (1) clarify the requirements to enroll as a Family PACT provider, including administrative responsibilities, application completion, screening, program integrity, and compliance; and (2) merges policies related to Family PACT provider responsibilities into the provider enrollment section. These policies are currently listed in the Provider Responsibilities section of the Family PACT Policies, Procedures, and Billing Instructions Manual. Program integrity updates are aimed at ensuring provider suitability in the program and strengthening the prevention and detection of provider fraud, waste, and abuse of family planning services through enhanced provider enrollment requirements and screening, along with provider oversight and compliance monitoring.
The proposed policy revisions will be posted on DHCS' Office of Family Planning webpage.
PAVE Portal for Family PACT Providers
In August 2022, DHCS will implement the use of the Provider Application and Validation for Enrollment (PAVE) portal for Family PACT providers. The PAVE portal is a web-based application designed to simplify and accelerate enrollment processes. PAVE will provide a new mode for submitting Family PACT provider enrollment applications and required documentation to DHCS. Beginning January 1, 2023, DHCS will no longer accept paper applications from providers seeking to enroll as a Family PACT provider.
Published COVID-19 Information
Additional updates will be posted on the DHCS COVID-19 Response page.
