About Coverage
All Californians deserve access to health care.
It’s one of our most basic needs, necessary for this state’s residents to live fruitful, productive lives that contribute to California’s betterment.
Right now, about 93% of Californians have some kind of health insurance. This coverage opens the door to health care workers and facilities that provide care for wellness, chronic disease, emergency needs, and life-threatening illnesses.
Having that many state residents possess some health insurance is a major step toward universal coverage. However, more must be done to ensure equitable access to care, especially for populations that have gone far too long without it.
President Biden Releases 2024 Budget Request
On March 9, President Biden released his $6.9 trillion proposed budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2024 to Congress. The proposed Health and Human Services (HHS) budget included in the request contains $144.3 billion in discretionary funding and $1.7 trillion in mandatory funding for FY 2024. The proposed HHS budget also extends the solvency of […]
Department of Homeland Security Finalizes Public Charge Policies
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule that finalizes policies related to making a public charge inadmissibility determination.
DHCS Announces Intended Awardees of Medi-Cal Managed Care Request for Proposal
On Aug. 25, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has announced its intent to award contracts to commercial managed care plans to deliver Medi-Cal services beginning in 2024.
CHA Provides Feedback to CMS on Medicare Advantage Program
CHA has submitted comments in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) request for information about various aspects of the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. The agency sought public feedback on ways to improve MA and to inform potential future rulemaking on the program.
Medi-Cal Coverage of Community Health Worker Services Effective July 1
On June 29, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced that, effective July 1, Medi-Cal will cover community health worker (CHW) services, including violence prevention and asthma prevention.
DHCS Launches Coverage Ambassador Program, Will Host Two Webinars
Under the COVID-19 federal public health emergency (PHE), Medi-Cal beneficiaries were guaranteed continuous coverage as long as the PHE was in effect.
DHCS Releases Guidance on Medi-Cal Eligibility for New Ukraine Arrivals
On April 29, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released a Medi-Cal Eligibility Division Information Letter (MEDIL) to provide guidance to counties on the Medi-Cal eligibility of Ukrainian nationals arriving in California.
CMS Finalizes Contract Year 2023 Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a rule finalizing policies for contract year 2023 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare prescription drug benefit programs. The rule finalizes proposals on increased agency oversight of plan marketing, expansion and network adequacy, reinstatement of medical loss ratio reporting requirements, and equity-oriented changes to dual-eligible special […]
CHA Comments on Proposed Public Charge Policies
CHA submitted comments on a proposed rule issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that would exclude noncash benefits — including most Medicaid benefits — when making a public charge inadmissibility determination.
CHA Responds to Request for Information on Medicaid and CHIP Access
On April 18, CHA submitted responses to a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services request for information on improving access to care and coverage for individuals enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.