Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Provides Update of Developments Regarding DHCS Programs, Including Guidance Related to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

From the Department of Health Care Services:

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is providing this update of significant developments regarding DHCS programs, including guidance related to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).

On March 23, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved DHCS’ request for a temporary extension of the Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) 1915(b) waiver program through December 31, 2021. This nine-month extension allows DHCS time to develop and obtain approval for the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative, and to align with the proposed one-year extension of the 1115 waiver (Medi-Cal 2020). The CalAIM initiative includes transitioning the Medi-Cal SMHS 1915(b) and 1115 waivers into a single comprehensive section 1915(b) waiver, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2022. DHCS will continue to work with CMS during the extension period.

On March 26, CMS approved State Plan Amendment (SPA) 21-0016 to add Medicaid Disaster Relief to implement temporary policies under section 1135 during the PHE. As approved in the SPA, DHCS will increase the fee-for-service payment rate for durable medical equipment (DME), specifically oxygen and respiratory equipment, equivalent to 100 percent of the Medicare rate. The payment increase will be effective for dates of service on or after March 1, 2020, so DME providers can continue providing necessary equipment during the COVID-19 PHE.

Additional Published COVID-19 PHE Guidance

• SPA 20-0040 – CMS-Approved State Plan Amendment
• CMS Fourth Approval of Additional 1135 Waivers
• Appendix K for 1915c Waivers: Consolidated Extension
• Appendix K Approval Letter: Consolidated Extension
• PACE Policy Letter 21-01 – Vaccine Administration
• HCBA Waiver PL 21-001 – Vaccine Administration
• APL 20-022 (Revised): COVID-19 Vaccine Administration
• COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for Behavioral Health Providers – Frequently Asked Questions
• SPA 21-0020 – Request for COVID-19 Vaccine Reimbursements in FQHCs and RHCs
• MEDIL I 21-04 – Additional and Updated Frequently Asked Questions Due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
• APL 20-004 (Revised): Emergency Guidance for Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plans in Response to COVID-19

Additional updates will be posted to the DHCS COVID-19 Response page.