​​​​​DHCS Stakeholder News - October ​14, 2022

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is providing this update of significant developments regarding DHCS programs.

Top News

Coming Soon: Clinic Workforce Stabilization Retention Payments (CWSRP)

On September 29, 2022, Governor Newsom signed legislation – see Section 19, aimed at stabilizing the California qualified clinic workforce to further manage the COVID-19 pandemic and address other public health issues. As a result, many qualified health care clinic employees will be eligible to receive a retention payment. DHCS today released initial guidance regarding the retention payments and launched a dedicated CWSRP webpage that includes frequently asked questions and registration/application submission dates. DHCS is developing and will post additional information and guidance on this page, as well as provide updates through various other channels, such as email, stakeholder news, and social media. More information about the submission processes will be shared on the CWSRP webpage and through social media in the coming weeks.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Renews Public Health Emergency (PHE)

On October 13, HHS renewed the COVID-19 PHE for a full 90-day extension, effective October 13 through January 11. The formal PHE declaration was posted on the HHS website. As a result of the COVID-19 PHE extension, Medi-Cal beneficiaries will continue to have Medi-Cal coverage maintained as part of the federal continuous coverage requirement. The Biden Administration has committed providing a minimum 60-day advance notice before it ends the PHE. Please contact the DHCS COVID inbox at MCED.COVID@dhcs.ca.gov with any questions.

Join Our Team

DHCS is hiring Californians to join our fiscal, human resources, legal, auditing, health policy, and information technology teams, along with other professions. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.

DHCS is dedicated to preserving and improving the overall health and well-being of all Californians. DHCS' mission is to provide the most vulnerable residents with access to affordable, integrated, high-quality, equitable health care, and is currently transforming the Medi-Cal program to make sure it provides the care Californians need to live healthier lives.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars

Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) and Behavioral Health Stakeholder Advisory Committee (BH-SAC) Meetings

On October 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., DHCS will host the next SAC and BH-SAC hybrid meeting. The October 20 meeting will open as a joint meeting with topics shared by SAC and BH-SAC. A BH-SAC meeting will be held after the joint meeting; there is no SAC-only meeting. Attendees can attend in person at The California Endowment at 1414 K St., Sacramento, or virtually. Advance registration is required if attending virtually. Meeting materials will be posted on the SAC and BH-SAC webpages.

Rescheduled: Nursing Facility Financing Reforms Stakeholder Meeting 

On October 25, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., DHCS will host a virtual stakeholder meeting on the nursing facility financing reforms authorized by Assembly Bill 186 (Chapter 46, Statutes of 2022). DHCS will present initial Workforce and Quality Incentive Program design considerations and seek stakeholder input. Information about how to join the webinar will be posted on the Long-Term Care Reimbursement webpage closer to the meeting date.

CalAIM Office Hours: Housing Supports via Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports
On Thursday, October 27, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., DHCS will virtually host an “Office Hours" discussion on Housing Supports via CalAIM ECM and Community Supports (advance registration required). This Q&A session is a follow-up to the webinar on this topic held on October 13. Participants are invited to submit questions by October 24 to CalAIMECMILOS@dhcs.ca.gov. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions during the discussion.  For information about upcoming webinars and links to previous sessions, please see DHCS' Technical Assistance Events.