Today, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is releasing the “Expanding Access to Integrated Care for Dual Eligible Californians” policy memo, updated based on stakeholder feedback. This memo outlines the department’s transition plan for dual eligibles and the Coordinated Care Initiative within the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of the Medi-Cal population by implementing broad delivery system, program and payment reform across the program.
This afternoon, on February 24th, DHCS will be discussing the proposal to transition Cal MediConnect (CMC) and the Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI) to a statewide Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) and Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) structure. DHCS will review the updated policy as well as preview a new information sharing policy proposal for D-SNP plan year 2021 based on new federal guidance, engage stakeholders around consumer messaging and protections, and invite public comment.
Convening Details:
- Convening Materials
- When: Monday February 24, 2020 from 1-5 p.m. PT
- Where: 1500 Capitol Avenue, 1st Floor, Training rooms A, B, and C, Sacramento CA
The public is welcome to attend this convening by phone or in-person.
Members of the public who call in will be placed in listen-only mode. If you wish to participate by phone, please call in via phone or computer by using this registration link (the webinar will be used for telephonic purposes only). After registration, you will receive an email confirmation with your unique dial-in and access code. This convening will not be recorded.
For more information on Medi-Cal Healthier California for All, visit the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) website. For any other comments, questions, or concerns, please contact CalAIM@dhcs.ca.gov.
How will Kaiser members who are dual eligibles be affected in your future plans?
Thank you for this opportunity to comment on DHCS’s transition plan within
the Medi-Cal Healthier California for All initiative (formerly known as CalAIM).
Electronic coordination of crossover claims for dual eligible
members, Medicare Part A and Part B CoInsurance
and Deductible payments for all California contracted health plans is a priority
for government entities, providers, health plans and most importantly beneficaries.
1) This concept will align with our Governor’s
Initiative: A MASTER PLAN FOR AGING
Executive Order Issued and signed by Governor Newsome on June 10, 2019.
Statistics from the Executive Order include:
🔷California’s Population To Grow To 8.6 Million by 2030
🔷An Increase of 4 Million (age 65 +) Older Californian’s
over the next decade. (Annual Average = + 400,000 additional
Medicare Age (Older Californian’s requiring healthcare) in our State
A Master Plan for Aging is a Blueprint For State Government, Local Government & Private Sector.
2) Department of Health and Human Services
FINAL RULE published in 45 CFR 162
Electronic Coordination of Benefits Agreement (COBA)
Crossover Claims for dual eligible members
(Medi-Medi =FFS)
Several of the County Organized Health Systems (COHS)
have accomplished Electronic Coordination of Benefits
and are operational today.
Examples: a) Ventura County COHS : Gold Coast Health Plan
b) Orange County COHS: Cal Optima Direct
The CMS Coordination of Benefits Agreement (COBA) is the vehicle for accomplishing automation.
As an industry, we are grateful this mechanism is
in place, working well and monitored however we would
like to request moving forward the automation of Medicare
Part A & Part B CoInsurance for all California Medi-Medi beneficiaries.
Let’s build the infrastructure of an aligned, automated
Coordination of Benefits (COB) for all California
dual eligibles beneficiaries statewide in
the Medi-Cal Healthier California for All initiative (formerly known as CalAIM).
1- All Seven (7) Counties of CCI (LA, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo & Santa Clara) serving
Cal MediConnect Members and all Health Plans responsible for Medi-Cal portion and Medicare portion.
2- All Health Plans conducting business in California offering Medi-Cal Managed Care Fee-For-Service Benefits to beneficiaries who are also Medicare Beneficiaries LTSS & Medicare wrap around benefits (includes Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Types: Two-Plan, Imperial, San Benito, Regional Model, GMC Geographic Managed Care, COHS County Organized Health System and Cal MediConnect).
Please consider these additional points as we continue to work together towards our common goals and align the next generation of Medi-Cal.
To improve quality of care and reduce the unnecessary paperwork associated with our healthcare delivery system.
Please automate the Coordination of Benefits (COB) for all California dual eligible beneficiaries statewide in
the Medi-Cal Healthier California for All initiative (formerly known as CalAIM).
Thank you kindly.
With Respect and Gratitude,
Susan LaPadula
Great point Susan. This will help clear up billing issues and as a result improve access for more dually eligible beneficiaries. I believe establishing a COBA is a requirement for all Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans.