Health Management Associates (HMA) hosted a webinar to discuss opportunities to build programs for justice-involved individuals and Medicaid initiatives on Thursday. Several HMA experts identified ways to improve services for those who are leaving or entering incarceration. On Jan. 26th, CMS approved California’s proposal to cover certain healthcare service costs for individuals who are incarcerated. … Read more
CalAIM, California’s multi-year initiative to transform Medi-Cal, has already met numerous key milestones regarding program implementation, which early data shows to have improved stabilization among enrollees. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) feels prepared to implement more going into the summer. The purpose of CalAIM is to transform Medi-Cal into a more coordinated, person-centered, … Read more
California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM), a long-term commitment to transform and strengthen Medi-Cal, has seen promising data results for its Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports (CS) benefits. Early DHCS data shows that initial enrollment in ECM and CS were primarily from members who were transitioning from the Whole Person Care (WPC) pilot … Read more
CalAIM’s Population Health Management (PHM) program is slated to launch in January 2023. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) says the program will be a statewide approach that ensures Medi-Cal members lead “longer, healthier, and happier lives, improved health outcomes, and health equity.” The PHM program will be focused around proactively assessing … Read more
California has made progress building health data networks across the state for years now — data systems that securely deliver information on your medications, health history, and hospitalizations in real time between your different healthcare providers (imagine never having to fill out that clipboard before your medical appointment again!). While those technology systems are significantly … Read more
As part of the statewide CalAIM initiative, Medicare and Medi-Cal dual enrollees will soon be able to enroll in Medicare Medi-Cal Plans (MMPs) to improve coordination across all Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits and make it easier for these dually eligible Californians to navigate both systems. MMPs are Medicare Advantage Dual Eligible Special Needs … Read more
In this week’s newsletter, we feature information on the upcoming CalAIM Recovery Incentive program for combatting stimulant use, recommendations for implementing the recently passed legislation to allow NPs to practice without physician supervision, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office’s predictions about Medi-Cal spending over the next few years. Thanks for reading! Eli Kirshbaum State of Reform … Read more
On Nov. 3rd, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced Pear Therapeutics, Inc. will be the incentive manager vendor for the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) contingency management benefit, or the Recovery Incentives Program. Through the program, eligible Medi-Cal beneficiaries struggling with stimulant use will participate in a structured 24-week … Read more
It was fantastic to see so many of you at last month’s 2022 Los Angeles State of Reform Health Policy Conference! This newsletter features a recap of the event’s keynotes and some of the panel conversations from the day. Our video team also made a “What You Missed” video from the event that captured the sights and sounds … Read more
At the 2022 Los Angeles State of Reform Health Policy Conference, California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Director Michelle Baass discussed some of the latest and most notable developments in Medi-Cal during her Morning Keynote. In particular, Baass highlighted the progress of CalAIM implementation and addressed Medi-Cal workforce development initiatives, as well … Read more