The Department of Public Health issued new guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccine administration and a notice from the Board of Pharmacy about the new guidance was posted in the “COVID-19 Information Box” on the Board’s website.
Also in California. CalAIM is a multi-year initiative by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of our Medi-Cal population by implementing a broad delivery system, program, and payment reform. The major components are (1) the Whole Person Care Pilots, (2) Health Homes, and the (3) Coordinated Care Initiative, and will result in a better quality of life for Medi-Cal members as well as long-term cost savings. At the January 28 virtual meeting, DHCS presented a revised CalAIM proposal. DHCS also released a revised Executive Summary that includes a summary of major changes from the original proposal.
Also in California. DHCS, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) are co-facilitating a new all-behavioral health provider call that is held every Wednesday at 8 AM PT to discuss topics such as COVID-19 vaccination updates, emergency staffing, and facility flexibilities. It also includes updates from DHCS, CDPH, CDSS, and the California Health and Human Services Agency. More information about the behavioral health all-provider call, including call-in information, meeting notes, and frequently asked questions (FAQs), can be found on the DHCS website.
Also in California. The DHCS released its telehealth policy recommendations consisting of broad-based telehealth policy changes that would remain permanent fixtures following the eventual termination of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). DHCS is seeking to modify or expand the use of synchronous telehealth, asynchronous telehealth, telephonic/audio-only, other virtual communication and to add remote patient monitoring to create greater alignment and standardization across delivery systems, as indicated. DHCS’ proposal includes advancing the following telehealth policy recommendations effective July 1, 2021. For more information relative to DHCS’ full post-PHE telehealth policy recommendations, please review the telehealth policy recommendations document, which is available on both DHCS’ Telehealth webpage and DHCS’ COVID-19 Response page. DHCS is also proposing trailer bill legislation (TBL), which will be posted on the Department of Finance’s TBL webpage.
Also in California. The DHCS released the “Medi-Cal Specialty Disease Pharmacy Reimbursement Study” aimed at analyzing specialty disease state drug reimbursement to Medi-Cal fee-for-service (FFS) pharmacy providers. The purpose of the two-part survey was to compare the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) price benchmark against Average Acquisition Cost (AAC) in California for a select group of specialty drugs. Additionally, the survey asked specialty pharmacy providers to list specialized services provided to Medi-Cal beneficiaries to ensure adherence and compliance and to monitor positive and negative outcomes from the drug therapy. The survey report memo, report, and appendices are available on the DHCS website.
Lastly in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed an Executive Order aimed at bolstering efforts to vaccinate as many Californians as possible as quickly as possible by protecting certain health care professionals and providers from legal liability when they render services at the request of state or local officials during a state of emergency.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.