In a February 2002 analysis of the California state budget, the California Legislative Analyst's Office proposed that the state consider expanding Medi-Cal managed care for people with disabilities as part of the solution to closing the state budget gap. Public dialogue throughout the 2002 budget discussions regarding the proposal did not result in any clear policy direction. However, with large budget gaps being projected for upcoming fiscal years, this issue may well be revisited by California policymakers during future legislative sessions.

The California HealthCare Foundation funded this research to provide policymakers and other stakeholders with insights and information relevant to the expansion of managed care to non-elderly Medi-Cal beneficiaries with disabilities. This report:

• describes the findings from a survey of health plans that provide care to members with disabilities in Medi-Cal managed care;
• identifies barriers and challenges that health plans have faced in enrolling and serving Medi-Cal beneficiaries with disabilities in managed care; and
• highlights promising health plan practices and innovations learned from the interviews.

The complete report is available under Document Downloads below.