Every year, California’s hospitals treat millions of patients, many of them covered by Medi-Cal, the state’s health care safety net. This includes numerous essential health care services for Californians, including care for more than 50% of all births, 46% of behavioral health-related emergency department visits, 58% of rural hospital patient care days, 1 million inpatient stays, and nearly 16 million outpatient visits in 2018. CHA is committed to protecting Medi-Cal rates and assuring that the state’s neediest maintain access to the high quality of care that all Californians deserve.
About Medi-Cal

Medi-Cal SNF Rates Updated
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has updated Medi-Cal rates for hospital-based skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs). Rates for the 2020-21 rate year, which began Aug. 1, were implemented for dates of service effective March 22. DHCS has informed CHA that retroactive adjustments to the beginning of the rate will be made in early June. Additional information is available […]
Public Comment Period for CalAIM Demonstration Ends May 6; Two Public Hearings Scheduled
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has begun a 30-day public comment period for the California Advancing & Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Section 1115 demonstration (or waiver). It began on April 6 and will end on May 6. The public comment materials can be found on the CalAIM 1115 Demonstration & 1915(b) Waiver web page. […]
Medi-Cal is California’s Health Care Safety Net for Millions of Low-Income People
To maintain access to the high quality of care that all Californians deserve, the state must protect Medi-Cal funding and reject cuts in rates paid to doctors, hospitals, and others who care for Medi-Cal enrollees. Find out more in the attached issue brief.
Medi-Cal: The Health Care Safety Net for Millions of Californians
CHA has developed the attached key messaging document to share the principles that guide our strategy related to Medi-Cal.
CHA Submits Comments to DHCS on Draft Enhanced Care Management and In-Lieu-of-Services Requirements
CHA has submitted comments to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on the draft Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and In-Lieu-of-Services (ILOS) requirements.
DHCS Seeks Federal Approval for No-Cost COVID-19 Vaccines for Medi-Cal Beneficiaries
With the recent Food and Drug Administration approval of COVID-19 vaccines, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is seeking federal approval to help support delivery of the vaccine to all Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
DHCS Delays Implementation of Medi-Cal Rx Until April 1
Given the ongoing challenges associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has decided to delay the full implementation of Medi-Cal Rx until April 1, 2021.
CHA Issues Summary of Medicaid Managed Care Final Rule
CHA has issued a detailed summary, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, of the Medicaid Managed Care final rule recently issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
CMS Finalizes 2018 Proposed Rule for Medicaid Managed Care and CHIP
Earlier today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that revises Medicaid Managed Care and Children’s Health Insurance Program regulations intended to reduce state administrative burden and increase program flexibility. CHA provided written comments on CMS’ proposed rule in January 2019.