Medi-Cal - California Health Care Foundation

Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal is the state’s health insurance program for Californians with low incomes, including over 40% of all children, half of those with disabilities, over a million seniors, and one in five workers. CHCF reports provide data and analysis on how well Medi-Cal is serving Californians.

California Bets Big on Housing in Medicaid

September 27, 2022

Steven Birenbaum

Medi-Cal, Homelessness & Health Care

A new episode of the health policy podcast Tradeoffs sheds light on CalAIM’s origin story through the experiences of Medi-Cal’s director, Jacey Cooper.

Advancing Health Equity: A Recommended Health Equity Framework for Accountability in Medicaid

National Committee for Quality Assurance

Health Equity, Medi-Cal

With support from CHCF, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) developed a health equity measurement framework that state Medicaid programs can use to measure accountability in health plan managed care contracting.

Six Things to Watch For Now That Medi-Cal Has Picked Commercial Managed Care Plans

September 8, 2022

Christopher Perrone

Health Equity, Medi-Cal

Continued investment and sound implementation will lead to higher quality care for millions of Medi-Cal enrollees — and progress toward reducing racial and ethnic disparities in outcomes.

CalAIM: Community-Based Organizations Poised to Partner with Medi-Cal

August 24, 2022

Heather Stringer

State initiative is designed to improve individuals’ health outcomes by covering services outside the walls of hospitals and community clinics.

The Role of Community-Based Organization Networks in CalAIM: Seven Key Considerations

Anna Spencer, Isabel Clemente

This report outlines seven considerations for potentially using networks of community-based organizations to meet the ambitious objectives of the CalAIM (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal) initiative.

The Big Health Care Wins in California’s State Budget

Medi-Cal, Expanding Health Coverage, Workforce, Health Care Costs, Data Exchange

California’s 2022–23 state budget represents one of the most significant investments in health care in a generation.

Beyond the Doctor: Helping Trusted Care Managers Increase Vaccination Rates

Heather Stringer

Older Adults with Complex Needs, Medi-Cal

Researchers partner with community-based organizations to reach homebound, older adults at risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Investing in Primary Care: Why it Matters for Californians with Medi-Cal Coverage

Edrington Health Consulting

This first-of-its-kind study examines primary care spending by 13 Medi-Cal managed care plans and finds that greater investment in primary care is associated with better quality of care and a higher plan rating.

From Corrections to Community: Reentry Health Care

Behavioral Health, Medi-Cal

People in jail or prison experience high rates of physical and mental health problems within complex social contexts. CHCF is working with partners to improve the coordination and delivery of care for those leaving correctional settings and returning to the community.

Celebrating the Expansion of Medi-Cal

Sandra R. Hernández

Expanding Health Coverage, Health Equity, Medi-Cal

CHCF's president and CEO explains how state leaders have brought us a step closer to justice and equity in health care.

My Comments on the Healthy California for All Commission’s Final Report

Sandra R. Hernández

Expanding Health Coverage, Health Care Costs, Workforce, Medi-Cal, Data Exchange

CHCF's president and CEO, who was appointed to the commission by Governor Gavin Newsom, shares her thoughts on the panel's report.

Innovation at the Intersection of Health Care and Homelessness

Medi-Cal, Homelessness & Health Care

A conversation with California’s Medicaid director, Jacey Cooper, about how CalAIM will bring together a broad range of stakeholders to improve the health of Medi-Cal members experiencing homelessness.

2022 Edition — California Health Insurers

Katherine Wilson

Coverage Trends, Medi-Cal

California Health Insurers: Staying the Course provides a snapshot of the insurance market in California at the end of 2020. Data from the state’s two insurance regulators — the California Department of Managed Health Care and the California Department of Insurance — and other sources were used to examine market share, enrollment, financial performance, and consumer satisfaction.

Launching CalAIM: 10 Observations About Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports So Far

Center for Health Care Strategies

This brief shares 10 observations from the first months of ECM and Community Supports implementation, some opportunities related to promising practices, and what to watch in the coming months as CalAIM implementation moves forward.

The Prognosis for Telehealth

Telehealth, Health Equity, Medi-Cal

The future of primary care could be a hybrid model of in-person and telehealth care, including both phone and video visits.