Complex Care Needs

Californians with Low Incomes Struggle to Navigate Both Medi-Cal and Medicare

October 28, 2020

Amber Christ, Georgia Burke

Medi-Cal, Health Equity, Older Adults with Complex Needs

One might think dual enrollment in Medicare and Medi-Cal should provide relief from health coverage worries, but many of the 1.4 million Californians with low incomes who are enrolled in both programs find it as much a struggle as a help.

Long-Term Services and Supports in Medi-Cal

Athena Chapman, Elizabeth Evenson

Millions of Californians covered by Medi-Cal live with disabling conditions or chronic illnesses and require assistance with common activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. In California, a patchwork of programs provide services to help these people; they are known as long-term services and supports (LTSS).

Bed Check: Inpatient Psychiatric Care in Three California Counties

Mathematica Policy Research

Behavioral Health

In June 2018, San Diego’s Tri-City Medical Center announced it would eliminate 30 inpatient psychiatric beds. This closure is part of a 25-year reduction in California’s supply of inpatient psychiatric beds, during a time when demand for mental health care services across the state has been increasing. An investigation was conducted into the factors contributing to the availability of and demand for inpatient psychiatric care in the state.

CIN Programming: A Roadmap for 2020–21

Through a collaborative design process with CIN partners over the last several months, the network has identified three priority areas for learning and action in 2020–21.

Californians with Chronic Conditions — Almanac Collection

Chronic conditions are the leading cause of death and disability in the US, and the biggest contributor to health care costs. The Almanac reports in this collection look at major chronic conditions and how each affects Californians.

Addressing Homelessness Is High on Governor Newsom’s Agenda

Xenia Shih Bion

Behavioral Health, Medi-Cal, Homelessness & Health Care

Stories That Caught Our Attention: The governor devoted nearly his entire State of the State address to California’s housing and homelessness crisis.

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.

Inland Empire’s McNaughton Feels a ‘Sacred Calling’ to Connect People with Care

January 10, 2020

Behavioral Health, Medi-Cal, Workforce, Payment & Financing, Health Care Costs

The Inland Empire Health Plan's new CEO is continuing the trailblazing path that Californians have come to expect from the large and influential managed care plan.

Putting Care in Context

December 4, 2019

Behavioral Health, Medi-Cal

Michelle Schneidermann, MD, the new CHCF director of High-Value Care, shares her goals for the program.

Health Care System Accepting New Math: Housing = Health

November 18, 2019

Xenia Shih Bion

Health Care Costs

Stories That Caught Our Attention: The nation's largest health insurer is trying a new strategy -- improving care for Medicaid enrollees with complex medical problems by providing social assistance, including housing.

CIN Connections, Fall 2019 — Improving Care for California’s Future

Health Care Costs

This issue of CIN Connections features insights on California's policy landscape from California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly and California Senator Holly Mitchell, tips on building a new model for complex care, and CIN partners' future goals in tackling CIN priority areas.

‘Trust Our Patients So They Can Trust Us’

September 18, 2019

Xenia Shih Bion

At an Oakland clinic, patients who once lived on the streets are helping to improve care for the unsheltered.

Webinar — Technology Successes and Challenges in the Whole Person Care Pilots

This webinar reviewed the technological successes and barriers that California's 25 Whole Person Care pilots have encountered while striving to deliver more integrated care to Medi-Cal enrollees with high-cost, complex needs.

For Californians Most in Need, Whole Person Care Pilots Break Down Barriers

Catherine Teare

Behavioral Health, Data Exchange, Medi-Cal

Whole Person Care pilots are gaining momentum and have attracted more than 100,000 enrollees so far. The pilots could make significant improvements in care for the most vulnerable Californians.

Behavioral Health Integration in Medi-Cal: A Blueprint for California

Logan Kelly, Allison Hamblin, Stephen Kaplan

Behavioral Health

People in Medi-Cal with complex behavioral and physical health needs face a fragmented system that is challenging to navigate. This paper offers recommendations to build an integrated system of care in Medi-Cal, bringing together physical health, mental health, and substance use services to treat the whole person.