Medi-Cal: behavioral health: data sharing.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on privacy law compliance beyond stating that final guidance must comply with them.

Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Data Sharing

This law requires Medi-Cal programs to share patient data electronically for better care coordination.

What This Bill Does

• Requires each Medi-Cal managed care plan, county specialty mental health plan, Drug Medi-Cal certified program, and DMC-ODS program to provide member data electronically.
• The California Health and Human Services Agency will work with stakeholders to determine the minimum data elements, frequency, and format of data sharing.
• Final guidance for data sharing must be published by the State Department of Health Care Services by January 1, 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

• Medi-Cal managed care plans
• County specialty mental health plans
• Drug Medi-Cal certified programs
• DMC-ODS programs

Terms To Know

Medi-Cal

A government program that helps low-income people get healthcare services.

Behavioral Health Services

Services for mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify the exact data elements or formats to be used.
• It is unclear how much it will cost to implement these changes.

Official Summary Text

AB 618, as amended, Krell.
Medi-Cal: behavioral health: data sharing.
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, through fee-for-service or managed care delivery systems. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions.
Under existing Medi-Cal provisions, behavioral health services, including specialty mental health services and substance use disorder treatment, are provided under the Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services Program, the Drug Medi-Cal Treatment Program, and the Drug Medi-Cal organized delivery system (DMC-ODS) program, as specified.
This bill would require each Medi-Cal managed care plan, county specialty mental health plan, Drug Medi-Cal certified program,
and DMC-ODS program to electronically provide data for members of the respective entities to support member care. The bill would require the
California Health and Human Services Agency
department
to determine minimum data elements and the frequency and format of data sharing through a stakeholder process and guidance, with final guidance to be published by the
State Department of Health Care Services
department
by January 1, 2027, in compliance with privacy laws.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF