DHCS releases 2021 timeline for CalAIM initiative
Emily Boerger | Feb 2, 2021
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The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) offered stakeholders a timeline of 2021 “implementation milestones” to support the CalAIM initiative during a relaunching webinar last week.
The agency released an updated CalAIM proposal last month, introducing key changes following stakeholder feedback and adjustments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DHCS’s release of the updated initiative is the latest step in the department’s effort to implement broad program, delivery system, and payment reform for the Medi-Cal program.
During the first few months of 2021, DHCS will release a handful of draft documents related to the Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and In Lieu of Services (ILOS) components of CalAIM. As part of Medi-Cal reform, DHCS is proposing an enhanced care management benefit that builds off of the current Health Homes Program and Whole Person Care Pilots to provide comprehensive care for high-need beneficiaries. The ILOS component of CalAIM refers to flexible, wraparound services that managed care plans will integrate into their population health strategies.