About Medi-Cal
More than 15 million Californians rely on Medi-Cal, the state’s version of the federal program known as Medicaid, for health insurance. The program acts as California’s health care coverage safety net, with those on Medi-Cal often living 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.
Medicaid Provider Taxes Protect Californians’ Access to Care
Medicaid provider taxes are a cornerstone of the Medicaid financing structure. Without federal revenue generated from these taxes, reimbursement for care provided to patients covered by Medicaid would be woefully insufficient and health care access would be at grave risk. For many hospitals, losing this revenue would mean closure of service lines; for others, it...
State Files Revised Hospital Fee Program Application
What’s happening: Last week, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) submitted its revised Hospital Fee Program tax model for calendar year 2025 (Program 9) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Future of Medi-Cal Commission Advisory Group Discusses Draft Priorities
What’s happening: The Advisory Group for the Future of Medi-Cal Commission held its second meeting on March 3. The group met to review and provide feedback on draft priorities that will help shape the commission’s recommendations for the long-term direction of California’s Medicaid program.
Future of Medi-Cal Commission Advisory Group Discusses Draft Priorities
What’s happening: The Advisory Group for the Future of Medi-Cal Commission held its second meeting on March 3. The group met to review and provide feedback on draft priorities that will help shape the commission’s recommendations for the long-term direction of California’s Medicaid program.
State Consulting Contract Targets Medi-Cal Oversight, Program Integrity, and Hospital Payment Reform
What’s happening: The California Department of Finance has hired Boston Consulting Group — under a contract worth up to $20 million — to identify cost savings and operational improvements across several state programs, including oversight of Medi-Cal managed care plans, Medi-Cal fraud detection, and hospital payment policies.
Commission Examines System-Level Challenges During First Meeting
What’s happening: The Future of Medi-Cal Commission meeting on Jan. 22 brought commissioners together for the first time, giving the group an opportunity to introduce themselves and start tackling the challenges facing Medi-Cal.
Key Messages: California’s Health Care System Is on Life Support
The risk of losing access to critical health care services for Californians has never been greater.