California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal: CalAIM - California Health Care Foundation

California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal: CalAIM
Launched in late 2019, CalAIM, or California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal, is a multiyear process led by the California Department of Health Care Services to improve the health outcomes and quality of life experienced by Medi-Cal patients.

In this collection, CHCF offers commentary, analysis, and resources to facilitate a robust discussion around the payment and delivery system reforms being considered through CalAIM. In particular, CHCF is paying close attention to efforts to align financial incentives to improve quality in Medi-Cal managed care, modernize payments to the state’s Federally Qualified Health Centers, and integrate behavioral and physical health care delivery.

How to Fulfill the Promise of Medi-Cal

January 22, 2020

Sandra R. Hernández

Medi-Cal, Payment & Financing, Behavioral Health

One of the most important steps California can take to live up to its social and economic potential is to improve the effectiveness of the enormously important Medi-Cal program.

Why a Shared Savings Program Is Critical to CalAIM

January 28, 2020

Anne Sunderland

Medi-Cal, Payment & Financing

Chris Perrone, CHCF’s director of Improving Access, explores California's rare opportunity to chart a new course for Medi-Cal for years to come.

Shared Savings: Financial Incentives to Spur Better Care for Medi-Cal Patients

Medi-Cal, Payment & Financing

The Department of Health Care Services's CalAIM process would change the way it pays Medi-Cal managed care plans to incentivize long-term improvements in quality of care and health outcomes for patients. It specifically calls out the need and potential benefit of a shared savings program, which would be an important, and overdue, advancement.

CalAIM Behavioral Health Proposals

Behavioral Health, Medi-Cal

CalAIM: California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal is a multiyear initiative proposing broad delivery system, program, and payment reform across the Medi-Cal program. Read a summary of the proposals pertaining to behavioral health care.

Supporting the Nontraditional Workforce: Community Health Workers and Promotores

February 18, 2020

Workforce, Medi-Cal

More payers and providers are recognizing the essential role these workers play in supporting patients with complex medical and social needs.

A Primer on Dual-Eligible Californians

Amber Christ, Georgia Burke

More than a million Californians receive health care coverage from both Medicare and Medi-Cal. These dual-eligible enrollees are older adults with low incomes and people with disabilities. The goal of the paper is to help stakeholders understand the complexities of service delivery for dual-eligible enrollees and to assess the impact of proposed changes on how enrollees can access care under both Medicare and Medi-Cal.