On January 1st, California’s Cal MediConnect plans for dually eligible individuals transitioned to newly created Medicare Medi-Cal Plans. Known as Medi-Medi Plans or MMPs, these plans are provided by the same insurance carriers as Cal Medi-Connect and offer the same healthcare benefits. The matching plans are designed to coordinate care for people with both Medicare … Read more
California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) was joined by five commercial managed care plans (MCPs) on December 30th to announce new contract agreements concerning the provision of Medi-Cal managed care. The new contracts start in January of 2024 and will span across 21 counties. DHCS experienced backlash from several health plans over the initial … Read more
The California Future of Abortion Council (CA FAB Council), comprised of elected officials and over 40 organizations across the state, released 16 new policy recommendations for state leaders and lawmakers aimed at continuing the state’s support for equitable and safe abortion care during next year’s legislative session. Some of the key recommendations included to improve … 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
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
This edition features recommendations about using emergency department discharge data to improve service delivery for unhoused individuals, insight about how presumptive Medi-Cal eligibility can be used as an on-ramp for enrolling individuals in full Medi-Cal coverage, and reporting on a partnership between Molina Healthcare and MedZed that is successfully lowering hospital utilization rates in the … Read more
This newsletter features an overview of 2 upcoming ballot initiatives that have significant implications for health policy, a legislative update following the conclusion of the eventful 2021-2022 legislative session, and an overview of some health plans’ litigation against DHCS following the controversial announcement of 2024 Medi-Cal Managed Care contract awardees. Thanks for reading! Please don’t hesitate … Read more
Last month, CalOptima Health announced its intent to partner with school districts across Orange County to improve access to preventive and early intervention behavioral health care in K-12 public schools as part of the Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program (SBHIP). The SBHIP is part of the statewide Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative … 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