Dear Stakeholders,
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is providing this update of significant developments regarding DHCS programs, as well as published COVID-19 information.
California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Justice-Involved Advisory Group Meeting
On November 23 at 9 a.m., DHCS will convene its second CalAIM Justice-Involved Advisory Group meeting. Through 2022, the group will discuss topics such as Medi-Cal application processes, the 90-days pre-release services delivery model, and reentry planning. Presentation materials will be published on the DHCS website prior to the meeting, and the presentation from the October 28 meeting is available on the website. While advisory group participation is limited to a select group of key stakeholders, members of the public are welcome to listen to the discussion via the webinar link once the meeting starts.
Questions about the CalAIM Justice-Involved Advisory Group may be directed to CalAIMJusticeAdvisoryGroup@dhcs.ca.gov.
CalAIM Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) and Duals Integration Workgroup Meeting
On November 18, at 11 a.m., DHCS will host the CalAIM MLTSS and Duals Integration Workgroup meeting. The goal of the workgroup is to collaborate with stakeholders on statewide MLTSS and Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) exclusively aligned enrollment, including the transition of the Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI) and Cal MediConnect (CMC), the D-SNP look-alike transition, and new enrollment in exclusively aligned enrollment. Under exclusively aligned enrollment, beneficiaries can enroll in a D-SNP for Medicare benefits and in a Medi-Cal managed care plan, both of them operated by the same parent organization for better care coordination and integration.
Agenda items include an update on CMC transition noticing, an overview of the DHCS outreach and communications strategy for the CalAIM D-SNP exclusively aligned enrollment in 2023, and a panel discussion and breakout sessions on promising practices and lessons learned from CMC outreach.
Please register for the November 18 workgroup meeting, which is open to the public. Background materials, transcripts, and video recordings of the previous workgroup meetings, along with additional information about the workgroup, are posted on the CalAIM MLTSS and Duals Integration Workgroup webpage.
CalAIM: Criteria for Beneficiary Access to Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS)
On November 18, at 3 p.m., DHCS will hold a virtual webinar to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to learn about the criteria for beneficiary access to SMHS policy that goes live in January 2022 as part as CalAIM.
The webinar is for behavioral health providers, county mental health plans, advocates, and others interested in learning more about the updated criteria for beneficiary access to SMHS. Time will be reserved at the end of the webinar for a Q&A session. Please register in advance for the webinar.
Doula Services as a Covered Medicaid State Plan Benefit Meeting
On November 19, at 2 p.m., DHCS will hold a virtual stakeholder workgroup meeting about adding doula services as a covered Medicaid State Plan benefit. The meeting is open to the public. Doula services include personal support to pregnant individuals and families throughout pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period.
DHCS continues to work with this stakeholder workgroup to define the doula benefit, including federal requirements for supervision, qualifications to provide Medi-Cal services, and a description of covered services. All interested stakeholders have the opportunity to listen to the workgroup discussion and provide their input via email, prior to DHCS’ submission of a State Plan Amendment to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in March 2022. Doula services are scheduled to be a covered Medi-Cal benefit beginning on July 1, 2022.
Please register for the meeting. More information about the doula services is available on the DHCS website. For questions, please email DoulaBenefit@dhcs.ca.gov.
Source: Significant Updates of Interest to DHCS Stakeholders – (peervoices.org)
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Carolina Ayala, the founder and executive director of The Happier Life Project leads the organization as a trauma-informed certified peer coach, facilitator, and advocate for the recovery community in Riverside County. Carolina’s unique approach combines her years of business administration experience with her direct experience as a justice-involved woman in long-term recovery.
A founding board member with lived experience. As an early team member of Happier Life Project, Madeline is devoted to reducing stigma around Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Disorders and helping connect people in need to resources. While pursuing a degree in Psychology, she is a Certified Mindfulness Meditation teacher and is constantly exploring the intersection of nature and therapy though studying family constellation therapy, equine therapy, sustainable living practices, and permaculture. Madelina Collective is a network of women around the world who collaborate with the shared goal of bringing change, inspiration, and perspective to the world through art and innovation. She is actively engaged in fostering creativity and connection amongst women from diverse backgrounds in an effort to be a light for other seekers.
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