The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued All Facilities Letter (AFL) 21-03, which exempts from CDPH licensure home health agencies (HHAs), primary care clinics (PCCs), and adult day health centers (ADHCs) that exclusively serve participants of a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE).
On Jan. 1, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) became responsible for regulating license-exempt PACE HHAs, PCCs, and ADHCs. These license-exempt PACE facilities must maintain compliance with health and safety code operating standards appropriate to their facility type except as modified by DHCS.
Any exemptions to statutory or regulatory requirements previously granted to a PACE facility by CDPH are no longer valid after Dec. 31, 2020, unless reapproved by DHCS.
CDPH will maintain responsibility to certify HHAs for participation in the Medicare and Medi-Cal programs, and PCCs for participation in the Medi-Cal program. CDPH will also continue to conduct validation surveys for deemed facilities and investigate complaints and reported incidents for PCCs, HHAs, and ADHCs.