The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has issued guidance regarding California Childrens Services and Special Care Centers during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Policies issued by DHCS regarding Medi-Cal services apply to CCS when Medi-Cal beneficiaries are seeking services from CCS paneled providers.
All DHCS telehealth policies for Medi-Cal services apply to CCS. Medically necessary CCS services can be delivered in-person or by telehealth. CCS providers and SCCs should implement telehealth to provide remote consultation during the public health emergency. DHCS and managed care plans must reimburse CCS providers at the same rate whether services are provided in person or by telehealth if the service is the same regardless of how it is delivered.
The requirement for an in-person Annual Team Conference for SCCs is suspended for the duration of the public health emergency. DHCS has waived the requirement for an Annual Team Conference as a precondition for authorization of other new or re-authorized services for CCS clients.
CCS hearings may be conducted by phone or video conference.
DHCS is temporarily suspending prior authorization requirements. Treatment Authorization Requests (TAR) and Service Authorization Requests (SAR) are still required but may be submitted after the date of service.
Telehealth may be used for visits related to a durable medical equipment order, including repairs and supplies. TAR/SAR can be submitted retrospectively.
DHCS is providing flexibility for High Risk Infant Follow-up (HRIF) services for clinic to use individual approaches for follow-up services. The age-out limit for HRIF is extended so that the third and final standard visit may be performed up to age 42 months. (DHCS notice, April 28, 2020.)