The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced today that it has the go-ahead to launch its long-term commitment to transform and strengthen Medi-Cal. The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) proposal that will launch January 1, 2022, and make Medi-Cal more equitable, … Read more
Last year, Sylvia, a low-income senior living with diabetes, faced a difficult choice. Experiencing a hyperglycemic episode, she weighed a costly trip to the emergency department against the risk of potentially exposing herself to COVID-19. She chose to get treatment, likely saving her life, but with proper diabetes management she could have avoided the visit … Read more
The kids are not all right. The more dangerous Delta COVID variant is far from the only health crisis our children are facing. Reports are showing that children are struggling with mental health, food insecurity, and obesity and backsliding on routine vaccinations. In California, we likely don’t know today the full extent of the pediatric … Read more
This edition of “5 Things We’re Watching” features stakeholder thoughts on Newsom’s vetoes of well-supported bills, a conversation on CalAIM with Local Health Plans of California CEO Linnea Koopmans, and a look at how CalOptima is leveraging text messaging to get more Medi-Cal members vaccinated. Thanks for reading, and if you have any input on what … Read more
Linnea Koopmans recently took the reins as CEO of Local Health Plans of California, which represents the state’s 16 locally-based, non-profit health plans providing Medi-Cal services. Around 70% of California’s Medi-Cal population gets coverage through LHPC’s member plans. Formerly the senior policy analyst for the County Behavioral Health Directors Association, Koopmans has vast experience with … Read more
Sen. Sydney Kamlager’s Assembly Bill 369 was one of the several bills vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom at the conclusion of his 2021 legislation signings. The bill would have allowed for persons experiencing homelessness to be deemed eligible for Medi-Cal benefits. In his veto statement, Newsom said that programs already in place address … Read more
CalOptima is one of the Medi-Cal plans in the state to receive special authorization from the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to send text messages to members. As a result, CalOptima is using text campaigns to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates among communities on Medi-Cal. DCHS data has shown that vaccination rates among … Read more
Covered California for Small Business unveiled the health plan choices and rates for small-business employers and their employees for the upcoming 2022 plan year. The statewide weighted average rate change is 4 percent, which represents the second-lowest annual increase in the program’s seven-year history. The rate change is lower than national projected increases for larger … Read more
Despite several significant accomplishments this year, the California Legislature halted some of state lawmakers’ highest-priority bills, either killing them completely or turning them into two-year bills. Sen. Monique Limón (D- Los Angeles) has introduced a different bill relating to Alzheimer’s disease every year she has served, most of which died in the legislative process. … Read more
As Medi-Cal transforms through CalAIM and other new Medi-Cal programs and benefits, Local Health Plans of California (LHPC) is expanding to provide additional expertise and advocacy for local health plans. The association is adding two new Directors to their team. Trong Le is the new Director of Government Affairs and Jennifer Lopez is filling a new position for the association as the Director of … Read more