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Resources / Advancing California’s Community Health Worker & Promotor Workforce in Medi-Cal / Section 1. Introduction
Knowledge Center

Advancing CHW/P Integration in Medi-Cal

Published October 1, 2021

1 minute read

Health Workforce
  • Advancing California’s Community Health Worker & Promotor Workforce in Medi-Cal
    • Section 1. Introduction
      • Background on CHW/Ps in California
      • Advancing CHW/P Integration in Medi-Cal
      • Making the Case for CHW/P Integration
    • Section 2. Program and Partnership Development
      • Implementation Approaches
      • Challenges and Ingredients for Success
      • Resources and Tools
    • Section 3. Roles and Recruitment
      • Implementation Approaches
      • Challenges and Ingredients for Success
      • Resources and Tools
    • Section 4. Training and Support
      • Implementation Approaches
      • Challenges and Ingredients for Success
      • Resources and Tools
    • Section 5. Data Collection and Program Measurement
      • Implementation Approaches
      • Challenges and Ingredients for Success
      • Resources and Tools

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    Advancing California’s Community Health Worker & Promotor Workforce in Medi-Cal (PDF 3.4 MB)

    A goal of the CalAIM initiative is to improve the health of California residents by supporting nonclinical interventions to address health-related social needs and to reduce health inequities. Two proposals in the CalAIM initiative are particularly relevant:

    • A requirement for an Enhanced Care Management (ECM) benefit to address the clinical and nonclinical needs of those with complex health and social needs.
    • Authorization for MCPs to deliver In Lieu of Services (ILOS) — cost-effective alternatives to covered services that improve health, such as housing navigation services. In developing plans for these services, MCPs can help to incorporate CHW/P services into member care.

    Exhibit 2 and Exhibit 3 in the Resource Guide detail ECM priority populations and optional ILOS.

    In addition to the opportunities presented by CalAIM, California is pursuing approval (PDF) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to use federal Medicaid funds to support CHW/Ps in providing services as a benefit for Medi-Cal members, effective January 1, 2022. As details emerge on the types of services that CHW/Ps can provide, the structure of service provision, and how the services will be reimbursed, MCPs will have another opportunity to include CHW/Ps in providing services to members in their communities.


    RELATED RESOURCE: Whole Person Care: The Essential Role of Community Health Workers & Peers (PDF) describes the roles of CHW/Ps in California’s Whole Person Care pilots.

    Authors & Contributors

    Center for Health Care Strategies

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