DHCS UPDATE: Behavioral Health Treatment Services Draft SPA & APL

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
intends to provide Behavioral Health Treatment (BHT) services as a covered Medi-Cal benefit for individuals 0 to 21 years of age with Autism Spectrum Disorder to the extent required by the federal government.  DHCS will seek federal approval to provide BHT as it is defined by Section 1374.73 of the Health & Safety Code.  DHCS is beginning the process to obtain all necessary federal approvals to secure federal funds for the provision of BHT in Medi-Cal, seek statutory authority to implement this benefit in Medi-Cal, seek an appropriation that would provide the necessary state funding, and consult with stakeholders.

Pursuant to Section 14132.56 of the Welfare & Institutions Code, DHCS is required to make any State Plan Amendment (SPA) public at least 30 days prior to submitting to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and to work with stakeholders to address the public comments in the SPA.  The following is a link to the DHCS website where we have posted the first draft of SPA 14-026 and a draft of an All Plan Letter (APL) providing interim guidance to Medi-Cal managed care plans:

 http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/BehavioralHealthTreatment.aspx

Please email any questions or comments regarding the draft SPA or APL interim guidance to ABAinfo@dhcs.ca.gov