About Medi-Cal
More than 15 million Californians rely on Medi-Cal, the state’s health care coverage safety net, for health insurance. Two-thirds of those on Medi-Cal are people of color and often live in communities with a lack of adequate health care providers. Without significant investments to support providers that deliver health care to California’s most vulnerable, millions living in rural and underserved areas are in jeopardy.
Medi-Cal is California’s version of the federal program known as Medicaid. To learn more about CHA’s work to protect Medicaid, visit our federal resource page.
Congress Must Protect Patient Care
California hospitals are committed to caring for their patients and communities. As policymakers in Washington, D.C., consider changes to the Medicaid program (known as Medi-Cal in California) it’s critical that the impact on patient care be at the forefront of every conversation.
DHCS Updates Community Services and Supports Guide
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS’) revised Community Supports Policy Guide reflects extensive feedback from managed care plans, providers, and other stakeholders.
Hospital Fee Program 8 Invoices Past Due
What’s happening: Payments for the Hospital Quality Assurance Fee program 8 fee-for-service were due to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on May 7.
Hospital Leaders Take Message on Threats to Medicaid, Medicare to Capitol Hill
What’s happening: As part of the American Hospital Association Annual Meeting held in Washington, D.C., this week, California hospital and health system leaders participated in more than 20 meetings with the California congressional delegation.
Medicaid Cuts Front and Center as Congress Returns from Recess
Earlier this week, members of Congress returned to Washington, D.C., from their spring recess, with both the House of Representatives and the Senate laser-focused on delivering a 2026 domestic spending bill to President Donald Trump.
DHCS Community Support Updates Take Effect July 1
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has updated service definitions for four of the 14 community supports that Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) may offer as part of the state’s Medi-Cal reform effort, California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM). The four updated service definitions go into effect July 1.
CHA Memo Helps Hospital EDs with Psychiatric Emergencies Under AB 1316
What’s happening: As of Jan. 1, hospital emergency departments (EDs) have a clear pathway for Medi-Cal reimbursement for behavioral health visits under CHA-sponsored Assembly Bill (AB) 1316 (2024). In a memo to members, CHA provides guidance to hospitals on the new requirements and their obligations for stabilizing or transferring individuals in EDs experiencing a mental health crisis.
Hospital Fee Program 8 Invoices Due April 8
What’s happening: Payments for the Hospital Quality Assurance Fee program 8 directed payment are due to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) by April 8.
CDPH Issues New Guidance to Support Doula Access in Hospitals
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-13 on March 24 that offers guidance to hospitals on supporting the Medi-Cal doula benefit — available since January 1, 2023 — and outlines recommendations for patient visitation policies and procedures.
Hospitals: Let Congress Know How Medicaid Cuts Will Impact People, Communities
What’s happening: As Congress works on a federal budget for 2026 that could result in devastating cuts to Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California), it is imperative that all hospital leaders let members of Congress know directly the impact these cuts will have on the people and communities they represent. Representatives will be home in their districts from April 11-27, which is an excellent time to invite your representative to come visit their local hospital.
Making the Case to Protect Medicaid in the Nation’s Capital
This week, California’s congressional representatives returned from their home districts to a gray and gloomy Washington, D.C.