This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
California’s Section 1115(a) Medicaid waiver, titled Medi-Cal 2020, was approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Dec. 30, 2015, and is effective through Dec. 31, 2020. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) intended to implement the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative following the end of the waiver period. However, as shared previously in CHA News, the COVID-19 public health emergency has delayed the implementation of CalAIM to focus on addressing the pandemic.
Instead of implementing CalAIM immediately following the end of this waiver period, DHCS will submit a 12-month Section 1115 waiver extension request to CMS. This extension will help ensure the important programs authorized through Medi-Cal 2020 continue and are eventually transitioned under CalAIM. The proposed Medi-Cal 2020 12-month extension request is available on the DHCS website.
Also, in coordination with the Medi-Cal 2020 12-month extension request, DHCS intends to submit a 12-month extension request for the existing 1915(b) Specialty Mental Health Services Waiver to align the terms of the waivers.
DHCS will host public hearings via webinar to solicit public comments:
July 29: DHCS Tribal and Designees of Indian Health Programs
- 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
- For more information, visit the Indian Health Program web page
Aug. 7: First Public Hearing
- 3:30-5 p.m.
- Register here
Aug. 10: Second Public Hearing
- 2-3:30 p.m.
- Register here
