Medi-Cal

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.

Minimum Wage Advocacy Stretches into Final Hours of Signing Deadline   

The gubernatorial signing deadline for bills passed in California’s 2023 legislative session is a little more than 48 hours away. One piece of legislation still awaiting action is SB 525, a bill that would raise the minimum wage for health care workers and is critical for hospitals to create a stable and predictable path for these increases. 

Diagnosis-Related Group Program Updates Medi-Cal FFS Payment System

On Oct. 3, the Department of Health Care Services notified hospital providers that the diagnosis-related group (DRG) program has updated the Medi-Cal fee-for-service (FFS) payment system with the newest ICD-10-CM diagnosis and surgical procedure codes released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, effective on or after Oct. 1, 2023.  

DHCS Issues Updated 2024 Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Transition Policy Guide

On Sept. 29, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released an updated 2024 Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan (MCP) Transition Policy Guide. It includes the new MCP Transition Monitoring and Oversight Policy and new transition-related requirements for incentive programs, as well as updates to all other sections of the policy guide. It also contains DHCS policy and related MCP requirements related to member transitions among Medi-Cal MCPs that take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. 

Federal Government Shutdown Averted, Temporary Continuing Resolution Passed

On Sept. 30, Congress passed, and President Biden signed a continuing resolution (CR) funding the federal government for 45 days. The measure includes a 45-day delay of the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts, as well as $16 billion in Federal Emergency Management Agency funding for disaster relief as requested by the White House.  

Federal Medicaid Proposed Regulations Webinar

CHA is hosting a webinar featuring Chad Mulvany, Vice President of Federal Policy, and Robert Ducay, Vice President of Policy. Both experts will discuss their insights and potential impacts related to these proposals. They will answer any questions you have about these proposed rules. 

FEMA Region 9/CalOES Reimbursement Update

Comments on the proposed rule are due to CMS by June 9. Join CHA’s Megan Howard and Chad Mulvany as they provide a summary of the proposed rule implications on your organization and how you can share your concerns on the impending changes.