Medi-Cal: Adverse Childhood Experiences trauma screenings: providers.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify that the department can create guidelines without needing additional regulations, but it authorizes them to implement provisions through various means such as provider manuals or policy letters.

Medi-Cal: Expanding Adverse Childhood Experiences Trauma Screenings

This legislation requires the State Department of Health Care Services to include community-based organizations, local health jurisdictions using community health workers, and doulas as qualified providers for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) trauma screenings under Medi-Cal.

What This Bill Does

• Expands the list of Medi-Cal providers who can offer ACEs trauma screenings to include community-based organizations and local health jurisdictions that provide services through community health workers.
• Adds doulas, if they are enrolled as Medi-Cal providers, as qualified to provide ACEs trauma screenings.
• Requires these new providers to make appropriate referrals for patients after conducting ACEs screenings.
• Directs the department to seek federal approvals needed to implement this expansion and update their websites accordingly.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who receive Medi-Cal services, especially those who might benefit from ACEs trauma screenings.
• Community-based organizations and local health jurisdictions that provide health services through community health workers.
• Doulas enrolled as Medi-Cal providers.

Terms To Know

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Events or situations in childhood that can cause stress, trauma, and negative effects on health later in life.

Medi-Cal

A government program that provides free or low-cost healthcare to eligible Californians with limited income and resources.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill's effectiveness depends on receiving necessary federal approvals.
• Implementation details will be provided through department guidelines rather than new regulations, which may vary in how they are applied.

Official Summary Text

AB 29, as amended, Arambula.
Medi-Cal: Adverse Childhood Experiences trauma screenings: providers.
Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions.
Existing law requires that Medi-Cal provider payments and payments for specified non-Medi-Cal programs be reduced by 10% for dates of service on and after June 1, 2011, and conditions implementation of those payment reductions on receipt of any necessary federal approvals. Existing law, for dates of service on and after July 1, 2022, authorizes the maintenance of the reimbursement rates or payments for specified services, including, among others, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) trauma screenings and specified providers, using General Fund or other state
funds appropriated to the State Department of Health Care Services as the state share, at the payment levels in effect on December 31, 2021, as specified, under the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 that were implemented with funds from the Healthcare Treatment Fund, as specified. Existing law requires the department to develop the eligibility criteria, methodologies, and parameters for the payments and rate increases maintained, and would authorize revisions, as specified.
This bill would require the department, as part of its above-described duties, to include (1) community-based organizations and local health jurisdictions that provide health services through community health workers and (2) doulas, that are enrolled Medi-Cal providers, as providers qualified to provide, and eligible to receive payments for, ACEs trauma screenings pursuant to the provisions described above.
The bill would require the department to require these providers to make clinical or other appropriate referrals, as specified, as a condition of payment for conducting ACEs trauma screenings.
The bill would require the department to file a state plan amendment and seek any federal approvals it deems necessary to implement these provisions and condition implementation on receipt of any necessary federal approvals and the availability of federal financial participation. The bill would also require the department to update its internet website and the ACEs Aware internet website to reflect the addition of the Medi-Cal providers described above as authorized to provide ACEs screenings.
The bill would authorize the department to implement, interpret, or make specific these provisions by means of a provider manual, provider bulletins or notices, policy letters, or other similar instructions,
without taking regulatory action.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF