DHCS Stakeholder News - November 4, 2022
Top News
DHCS COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Operational Unwinding Plan Updated
On October 27, DHCS updated the Medi-Cal COVID-19 PHE Operational Unwinding Plan. The updated plan reflects two new flexibilities approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) effective October 18 to further reduce the administrative burden on Medi-Cal members, managed care plans (MCPs), and local county offices when updating member contact information. These flexibilities will remain in effect 14 months after the COVID-19 PHE ends, which will be critically important and helpful as counties process Medi-Cal redeterminations during the COVID-19 PHE unwinding period. The additional approved flexibilities are:
- Partnering with the National Change of Address (NCOA) Database and United States Postal Service (USPS) In-State Forwarding Address to Update Member Contact Information. DHCS will temporarily permit the acceptance of updated in-state enrollee contact information from the NCOA database and USPS in-state forwarding address without additional confirmation from the individual. Under this authority, California will treat updated in-state contact information confirmed by and received from the NCOA database or USPS returned mail with a forwarding address as reliable, and update the member record with the new contact information without first sending a notice to the member address on file with the state.
- Partnering with Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Organizations to Update Beneficiary Contact Information. California will temporarily permit the acceptance of updated in-state enrollee contact information from PACE organizations without additional confirmation from the individual. Under this authority, the state will treat updated in-state contact information confirmed by and received from PACE organizations contracting with the state Medicaid agency as reliable, and update the beneficiary record with the new contact information without first sending a notice to the beneficiary address on file with the state.
CMS Outreach on Medi-Cal Asset Limits Changes
On November 9, CMS will send an outreach email to all California Medicare beneficiaries with email addresses on file, up to one million individuals, to share information about Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) and the impact the change in asset limits California implemented this year has on MSP program eligibility.
This email will inform Medicare beneficiaries that they can obtain financial assistance through MSPs for their Medicare Part B premiums, copayments, and deductibles, and includes information about the July 1, 2022, asset limits change for MSPs which could allow for more individuals to be eligible for MSPs. The email also includes information on Medi-Cal eligibility, income limits for both programs, and pathways to apply for MSPs and Medi-Cal.
MSPs are for individuals with limited income and resources to help pay some or all of their Medicare Part A and B Premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Individuals enrolled in MSPs may also get extra help that pays for Medicare prescription drug costs. Income limits for MSPs are similar to Medi-Cal, and eligibility for MSPs is determined concurrently with Medi-Cal eligibility by county eligibility offices. Currently, approximately 814,000 individuals in California are receiving MSPs.
Program Updates
Clinic Workforce Stabilization Retention Payments (CWSRP)
DHCS today issued
general process guidance to help qualified clinics prepare for the upcoming CWSRP registration and application submission.
Beginning on November 15, 2022, qualified clinics are required to register with DHCS in order to participate in CWSRP. Once registered and approved, qualified clinics will be provided a link to apply for retention payments on behalf of eligible employees starting on December 29. DHCS encourages early submissions so all applications can be validated prior to the final due date. DHCS anticipates issuing payments to qualified clinics in late February 2023, and clinics receiving funding must issue payments to qualified employees within 60 days of receipt of funds.
To review new information about the registration and application submission processes for CWSRP, please visit the CWSRP webpage. Sign up for CWSRP stakeholder announcements to stay informed of new developments.
Presentation Slides on Children's Health Programs and Initiatives
On November 4, DHCS released a comprehensive set of presentation slides to help describe the numerous programs and initiatives that will improve Medi-Cal for California's children and families. These slides cover significant Medi-Cal efforts including the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative, improvements to Medi-Cal eligibility policy, new physical and behavioral health policies and benefits, and the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative. This resource will provide stakeholders with greater insight into Medi-Cal's strategy to support children and youth, and other aligned efforts.
CalAIM Section 1115 Demonstration and Section 1915(b) Waiver
On November 4, DHCS submitted requests to CMS to amend the CalAIM Section 1115 demonstration and Section 1915(b) waiver. DHCS is seeking approvals to implement county-based plan model changes in the Medi-Cal managed care program. Through the Section 1915(b) waiver amendment, DHCS also plans to add or update language on policies or programs included in the approved waiver, including to reflect proposed direct contracts with the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan to enroll certain Medi-Cal beneficiaries in select counties.
DHCS hosted 30-day public comment and Tribal public comment periods to solicit feedback on the proposed amendments. Additional information about the CalAIM Section 1115 demonstration application and the Section 1915(b) overview is available on the
CalAIM 1115 Demonstration & 1915(b) Waiver webpage.
Funding to Support Yurok Tribe Regional Wellness Center
On November 1, DHCS released to the Yurok Tribe $15 million to assist with the establishment of a Regional Wellness Center. One-time General Funds were included in Senate Bill 154 (Chapter 43, Statutes of 2022) to support the establishment of a Regional Wellness Center, which will be a Tribal-specific center for drug, alcohol, and mental health services. This supports the DHCS Comprehensive Quality Strategy goal of eliminating health disparities by helping ensure that American Indians have access to culturally appropriate behavioral health services, including substance use disorder services, residential treatment, transitional housing, and aftercare.
Join Our Team
DHCS is hiring! On December 20 and 21, DHCS is hosting a virtual hiring event to recruit Associate Governmental Program Analysts and Staff Services Analysts. Candidates must
complete an exam and
submit applications by November 14 to be considered. For more information, please email
Recruit@dhcs.ca.gov, or visit
DHCS' Facebook page.
For other opportunities to join our fiscal, human resources, legal, auditing, health policy, and information technology teams, along with other professions, 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, and equitable health care, and is currently transforming the Medi-Cal program to make sure it provides the care Californians need to live healthier, happier lives.
Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars
CalAIM Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports Data Sharing Webinar
On November 10, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., DHCS will virtually host an all-comers webinar on how CalAIM organizations are sharing data for ECM and Community Supports (advance registration required). Participants may submit questions to CalAIMECMILOS@dhcs.ca.gov by November 7, and attendees will be able to ask questions during the webinar. An additional “Office Hours" event will be held on December 1, from 2 to 3 p.m., for attendees to ask additional questions which were not covered during the webinar. For information about upcoming webinars and links to previous sessions, please see DHCS' Technical Assistance Events.
Behavioral Health Stakeholder Advisory Committee (BH-SAC) Special Webinar to Solicit Feedback on Medicaid Section 1115 Concept Paper
On November 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., DHCS will virtually host a special public stakeholder meeting (join webinar at scheduled time) to solicit stakeholder feedback for an upcoming concept paper on DHCS' intent to apply for a new Medicaid Section 1115 demonstration. This demonstration will expand access to and strengthen the continuum of community-based mental health services for Medi-Cal members living with serious emotional disturbance or mental illness. It will also amplify California's ongoing behavioral health initiatives, and be informed by findings from DHCS' 2022 Assessing the Continuum of Care for Behavioral Health Services in California. Meeting materials for the November 15 meeting will be posted to the BH-SAC webpage as they become available. Questions about the BH-SAC may be directed to BehavioralHealthSAC@dhcs.ca.gov.
Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Program (HACCP) Webinar for Families
On November 15, DHCS will hold two sessions for the next quarterly HACCP Webinar for Families: 10 to 10:50 a.m. and 6 to 6:50 p.m. The purpose of this webinar is to provide information about HACCP's eligibility criteria, enrollment process, and covered benefits to interested families, as well as those with children already enrolled in HACCP. Additional program information is available on DHCS' HACCP webpage. Webinar details are available on HACCP's Resources for Families webpage.
Public Hearing to Discuss Medi-Cal Enrollment Requirements and Procedures for Doulas
On November 17, from 1 to 3 p.m., DHCS will virtually host a
public stakeholder meeting (advance registration required) to discuss the regulatory provider bulletin entitled, “Medi-Cal Enrollment Requirements and Procedures for Doulas." The bulletin was created to implement the reporting requirements and procedures of doula providers to enroll in the Medi-Cal fee-for-service program. Stakeholders may submit questions and suggestions during the hearing; written comments will be accepted on the day of the hearing until 5 pm. Based on the public comments received, DHCS will publish the final bulletin on the
Medi-Cal and
DHCS websites. The changes will become effective 30 days after publication.
CalAIM Office Hours: Q&A for Counties Newly Implementing ECM and Community Supports
On November 17, from 2 to 3 p.m., DHCS will virtually host an
“Office Hours" discussion (advance registration required) for counties newly implementing ECM and Community Supports. Participants may submit questions by November 14 to
CalAIMECMILOS@dhcs.ca.gov, and attendees may ask questions during the session.
Smile, California Campaign for Medi-Cal Dental Services
On November 17 and 21, Smile, California will host two Facebook Live presentations for Medi-Cal members, one in English and one in Spanish. The English presentation will be held on November 17 at 5:30 p.m., and the Spanish presentation will be held on November 21 at 5:30 p.m. Smile, California member outreach representatives will deliver the Smile, Your Medi-Cal Benefits Include Dental! presentation and:
- Discuss the Medi-Cal Dental Program.
- Inform viewers about the covered dental services available for members of all ages.
- Answer questions about Medi-Cal dental benefits.
Nursing Facility Financing Reform Webinar
On November 18, from 2 to 3 p.m., DHCS will host a virtual stakeholder meeting to discuss the Workforce and Quality Incentive Program (WQIP) authorized by Assembly Bill 186 (Chapter 46, Statutes of 2022). This meeting will continue the discussion of the WQIP program design previously presented at the October 25 virtual stakeholder meeting, present any proposed changes, and provide further opportunity for stakeholder feedback. Information about how to join the November 18 webinar will be posted on the Nursing Facility Financing Reform AB 186 webpage closer to the meeting date.
CalAIM Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Services (EPSDT) Enrollee-Facing Materials Webinar
On November 18, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., DHCS will host a webinar focused on the EPSDT Outreach & Education Toolkit's enrollee-facing materials (advance registration required). The federal and state requirement for children's services, known as EPSDT, gives children and youth under age 21 access to preventive and medically necessary treatment services. DHCS is developing materials through an EPSDT Outreach & Education Toolkit to promote understanding of and access to EPSDT covered services.
Proposed materials include: two enrollee-facing brochures (a child version and a teen/young adult version), a “Know Your Medi-Cal Rights" letter, and a rebranding of the EPSDT name. The brochures provide an overview of EPSDT, including covered services, how to access those services, and the importance of preventive care. The “Know Your Medi-Cal Rights" letter provides information on what to do if Medi-Cal care is denied, reduced, or stopped. The draft materials will be posted on the DHCS CalAIM News & Updates webpage before webinar. All interested members, providers, plans, counties, health systems, advocates, and other stakeholders are invited to attend.
Dementia Care Aware Webinar Series – Fourth Webinar
On November 18, from 12 to 1 p.m., Dementia Care Aware will virtually host The Cognitive Health Assessment via Video or Phone (advance registration required) webinar. Jennifer Schlesinger, Vice President of Healthcare Services & Community Education at Alzheimer's Los Angeles, and Elena Tsoy, PhD, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Assistant Professor at UCSF, will speak about ways to conduct cognitive health assessments via phone or video. Participants of the live webinar are eligible to receive 1 Continuing Medical Education (CME) and California Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) credit. Additional information is available on the Dementia Care Aware Initiative website. Providers are also encouraged to take the cognitive health assessment training (1.5 CME/CAMFT credit).
