Providers offered funding to address social determinants of health on the Central Coast
Under the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) CalAIM Initiative (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal), health plans are poised to work closely with health care partners to ensure that Medi-Cal members have the tools and support needed to achieve optimal health outcomes. To support the expansion of novel services under the Medi-Cal Program, CenCal Health announces the launch of the Incentive Payment Program (IPP)(IPP). IPP was created by DHCS to support CalAIM, the far-reaching, multi-year plan developed by the State to transform Medi-Cal by breaking down the traditional walls of health care – extending beyond hospitals and health care settings into communities. In Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, the local health plan CenCal Health is responsible for managing the implementation of many CalAIM programs with its community partners, and may earn approximately $19.2M in IPP funding from the State.
CenCal Health will make available IPP funds to build and increase capacity for two CalAIM initiatives:
Enhanced Care Management is a new benefit made available to vulnerable members with the intent of supporting intensive wrap-around health and social service navigation. CenCal Health went live with the Enhanced Care Management benefit in July of 2022, and looks forward to working with its provider and community partners to build and expand capacity for Enhanced Care Management services.
Community Supports services are optional for health plans to provide and make available medically appropriate, cost effective alternatives to traditional health care services. CenCal Health currently offers two Community Supports: Medically Tailored Meals and Recuperative Care. Beginning in January 2023, CenCal Health plans to make available sobering center services, as well as housing transition and navigation, housing tenancy and sustaining supports, and housing deposits.
Through the CalAIM framework, CenCal Health will support the expansion of services beyond traditional medical care, addressing social factors that affect people’s health in partnership with its counties, community, and provider partners.
“CenCal Health recognizes the deep commitment of our local communities in ensuring that we are collectively meeting the needs of Medi-Cal members on the Central Coast. Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports services provide an opportunity for providers to address the social determinants of health,” said CenCal Health CEO Marina Owen.
CenCal Health is currently in receipt of $6.4M in IPP funds. Up to an additional $12.8M may be earned for IPP in the coming year, based on State approval. IPP funding may be used by Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports providers, including community-based organizations, county organizations, and traditional healthcare providers, toward one-time or ongoing activities, including staffing support; infrastructure or capital investment; data/information technology development or enhancement; staff training and education, and operations.
“Using the IPP funds made available by DHCS, we are poised to support our partners in building and expanding Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports capacity,” said CenCal Health Provider Network Officer Jordan Turetsky. Interested organizations who are currently providing or plan to provide Enhanced Care Management or Community Supports services are encouraged to apply online at cencalhealth.org/providers/incentive-payment-program/
More information about CalAIM on the Central Coast is available at cencalhealth.org/members/calaim/. Additional information about CalAIM can be found on the DHCS site at dhcs.ca.gov/calaim. To learn more about CenCal Health, go to cencalhealth.org.
About CenCal Health
CenCal Health is the local Medi-Cal health plan that partners with over 1,500 local physicians, hospitals, and other providers in delivering health care services to over 225,000 members in its two-county service area – one in four residents of Santa Barbara County and one in five residents of San Luis Obispo County. Founded in 1983, CenCal Health prioritizes cultivating community partnerships; advancing quality and health equity; expanding its service role and reach in the community; and organizing for impact and effectiveness. With a vision to be a trusted leader in advancing health equity so that the communities we serve thrive and achieve optimal health, CenCal Health invites the public to review its 2023-2025 Strategic Plan at wwwqa.cencalhealth.org/strategic-plan.
CenCal Health Contact:
Nicolette Worley Marselian (805) 685-9525 ext.1993 comms@cencalhealth.org
Media Contact:
Sheri Mobley (805) 845-5627, 213 509-9816 sheri@seamlesspr.com