Three DHCS resources JI ECM Providers should know about, but probably don't

Welcome back to The Reentry Read!

Unfortunately, there is no single place to go for all policy updates and implementation guidance on the Justice-Involved Reentry Initiative. This is because several divisions and offices within the state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), which administers Medi-Cal, are each operationalizing different pieces of it.

The Office of Strategic Partnerships owns the policy work and publishes much of it on the DHCS Justice-Involved Reentry Initiative page. The Medi-Cal Eligibility Division (MCED), the Provider Enrollment Division (PED), and the Program Operations Division each carry specific roles as well.

Today, I want to point you to a few lesser known, but useful resources: a reference hub and a training library for Medi-Cal Providers and a couple of subscriptions that route updates directly to your email inbox.

1) Medi-Cal Providers Justice-Involved Reentry Initiative Webpage

If you have reviewed the policy guidance and are ready to operationalize, consider checking out the dedicated JI Reentry Initiative page for Medi-Cal Providers. It’s full of articles, trainings, and Q&As to support implementation of the Initiative as a Medi-Cal Provider. For instance, one of the recent articles covers claim submission timelines, the same topic I wrote about in last week’s issue.

2) Medi-Cal Learning Portal

The Medi-Cal Learning Portal is the state’s training platform for Medi-Cal Providers. It requires a log-in, but it’s free to join and accessible to all, even those not yet enrolled as Medi-Cal Providers. There is a growing list of JI Reentry Initiative material, though you’ll want to be selective to ensure the information applies to JI ECM Providers rather than correctional facilities, or other types of Providers. There’s also a helpful section on Medi-Cal billing basics, among other topics. Once you get an account, you can view recorded trainings or register for live ones.

3) The Medi-Cal Subscription Service (MCSS)

The Medi-Cal Subscription Service (MCSS) sends Medi-Cal Provider updates directly to your email inbox, including new articles posted to the Medi-Cal Provider Webpage, discussed above. To receive JI Reentry Initiative updates, subscribe to both the News Articles and Medi-Cal Update Bulletins under the Clinics and Hospitals category. (Correctional facilities have become “Exempt from Licensure Clinics” under the JI Reentry Initiative, which is why this information is under the Clinics category.) The subscription is free and open to everyone.

Bonus: DHCS Stakeholder Email List

If you are interested in a broader view of the goings on at DHCS, consider subscribing to the DHCS Stakeholder Email List. You’ll receive weekly emails on major departmental initiatives and policy changes inclusive of the JI Reentry Initiative. Recent topics have included H.R. 1 (Medicaid work requirements) and the new Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA).

One thing is certain about JI Reentry Initiative policy implementation: it will change. The resources shared above will help you stay current.

As always, please feel free to reply with feedback or requests for future topics.

Thanks!

Rebekah

The Reentry Read is intended for educational purposes and reflects interpretation of published DHCS guidance. It is not legal, compliance, or regulatory advice, and provides no guarantees of Medi-Cal enrollment, managed care plan contracting, or reimbursement outcomes.