Medi-Cal COVID-19 “Unwinding Plan” 

The Department of Health Care Services just released a plan for after the expiration of current emergency orders. The plan is intended to provide a comprehensive view of how the State anticipates unwinding the flexibilities implemented over the course of the Public Health Emergency, including programmatic changes in many of Medi-Cal’s delivery systems (Part I), and the resumption of normal Medi-Cal eligibility operations (Part II). The topics covered in Part I include future changes to telehealth, Medi-Cal benefit and reimbursement rates, behavioral health delivery systems, Home and Community Based Services, provider enrollment, and state fair hearings. Part II of this document describes the Department’s plan to resume normal eligibility operations, including, but not limited to, DHCS’ guiding principles, anticipated losses in coverage, and federal flexibilities specific to eligibility processes.