COVID-19

COVID-19 guidance on various Medi-Cal issues

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The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has issued guidance on various Medi-Cal issues affected by COVID-19.

The county computer systems were successfully programmed to delay processing of annual renewals and reported changes, and delay discontinuances and negative actions as a result of annual renewals or reported changes while Executive Order N-29-20 is in effect.

Individual case workers can discontinue cases.  This should happen when people have died, people are no longer living in California, people request voluntary discontinuance of Medi-Cal and when non-MAGI Medi-Cal individuals move to a Long Term Care aid code.

The requirement to maintain continuous coverage applies to people who might otherwise have coverage terminated or reduced because of a change in circumstances, including people who age out of a Medi-Cal eligibility group, people who lose other benefits that would affect their Medi-Cal eligibility, people whose whereabouts become unknown, children in the Optional Targeted Low Income Children Program who would otherwise move to a premium aid code, people who would have a new or increased share of cost, and people who would otherwise move from full scope to restricted scope coverage.

Some cases may have been discontinued as early as February 20 for failure to provide information or respond effective April 1. Counties must prioritize requests for reimstatement from these individuals.

Individuals discontinued prior to March 17, 2020 who are in their 90 day cure period must work with the county to resolve outstanding eligibility issues before the county can restore eligibility.

The time to request a hearing regarding Medi-Cal eligibility or fee for service issues is extended by 120 days to a total of 210 days.  Persons who are receiving aid paid pending during the Executive Order period are enrolled for benefits and must remain eligible.  Counties must delay processing negative actions because of a hearing decision through the duration of the Executive Order.

Counties shall conduct telephone interviews or appointments when applicants are usually required to visit the office.  Counties shall accept written affidavits by telephonic signature.

Counties must process transactions for individuals released from incarceration by reporting the release date because it is a positive action that addresses a barrier to care.

Persons who are in Managed Care Plan hold status need to obtain services through Fee for Service.  (MEDIL I 20-08, April 10, 2020.)

COVID-19 guidance for child care R&Rs and LPCs

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The California Department of Education (CDE) has issued guidance for child care Resource and Referral (R&R) programs and Local Planning Councils about requirements because of COVID-19.  R&Rs and LPCs must remain open and operate virtually.  They must be available to assist in county development of emergency child care for essential workers and to help coordinate early learning and care programs, providers and families searching for care.

R&Rs are the lead coordinator of emergency supply, demand and referral and response for each county unless the county appoints another agency.  By April 30, 2020, R&Rs and LPCs must update their emergency response plans for staffing and continuity of services to include COVID-19 guidelines.

All R&R programs must work with their licensed providers to collect or update information on each provider’s status, capacity and vacancy at least twice per week and submit that data to the the state.  That data will be made public here.

With CDE’s approval, R&Rs can support purchases of essential commodities and supplies for local child care providers.  (MB 20-07, April 15, 2020.)

COVID-19 child care for essential workers and at risk populations

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This Management Bulletin is rescinded and replaced by Management Bulletin 20-14, summarized here.

The California Department of Education (CDE) has issued guidance regarding emergency child care for essential workers and at risk populations.  In addition to serving current families, contractors may enroll new families in emergency child care in this priority order if they are: 1) an at risk population including (A) children who are receiving child protective services or who have been deemed to be at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation, (B) children eligible through the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children, (C) families experiencing homelessness, or (D) children of domestic violence survivors; 2) deemed to be an essential worker including (A) health care/public health and emergency services, (B) food and agriculture, teachers, education staff, providers of early learning and care services, state and local government workers, communications and information technology, energy, transportation and logistics, critical manufacturing, hazardous materials, financial services, and chemical sector, (C) all other fields listed on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers document, , or 3) families with children with disabilities or special heal care needs who have individualized education plans or individual family support plans that include early learning and care programs.  Essential workers whose total family income exceeds the current income eligibility threshold are lowest priority.

All current families have the option to stay in care or return to care before any new essential families are enrolled.

Children enrolled in emergency child care can only be provided services through June 30, 2020.  If the provider has served all groups eligible for emergency child care and has space in their program, they can serve private paying essential workers, but must consider that they must resume serving all children receiving subsidies that are currently enrolled.

For essential workers to be eligible and the family is a two-parent household, both parents must either be essential workers or one must be unable to provide care because of incapacity.  The family must require child care to perform their essential work and they cannot complete their work remotely.

For children with disabilities or special health needs, the family must self-certify that status.

Families must apply for emergency child care using a new application form. and self-certification form. Contractors must allow digital signatures, electronic submission of applications and supporting documents.

CDE also issued various changes to capacity guidelines because of COVID-19.  (MB 20-06A, April, 2020. [link removed by CDE].)

COVID-19 PUA implementation and stimulus payments for undocumented persons

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Governor Newsom has issued an Executive Order and press release regarding implementation of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and state stimulus payment for undocumented workers.  PUA will provide benefits for persons ineligible for regular unemployment insurance, including independent contractors, persons who are self-employed, gig workers, and persons who do not have a sufficient employment history to be eligible for regular Unemployment Insurnace, who are unemployed or partially unemployed because of COVID-19.  The PUA program will begin in California on April 28, 2020.  Benefits will be issued within 24-48 hours.

The Employment Development Department (EDD) will launch a new call center that will be open 7 days per week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.  EDD will also expedite access to the Work Share program to avert layoffs.

Governor Newsom also announced state funded stimulus payments for undocumented persons in California of $500 per person and a maximum $1,000 per household beginning in May. These funds will be disbersed through regional nonprofit organizations.

Governor Newsom also reiterated that COVID-19 testing, evaluation and treatment is considered emergency services under Medi-Cal, regardless of where they are received.  This means all Medi-Cal beneficiaries can receive COVID-19 treatment regardless of documentation status.     (Executive Order N-50-20 and Press Release, April 15, 2020.)

COVID-19 automatic individual stimulus payments to SSI recipients

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SSI recipients will receive the federal individual stimulus payments automatically.  The payments will be made by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card or paper check depending on how the recipient normally receives their SSI benefits.   SSI recipients should receive the payment by early May.

SSI recipients who have dependent children will need to register on the Internal Revenue Service portal or file a tax return to receive the payment for their dependents.

The individual stimulus payment will not be considered income for purposes of SSI and will be excluded as a resource for 12 months.  (Department of the Treasury Press Release, April 15, 2020.)

Implementation of EBT online purchasing

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) informs counties that Electronic Benefits Transfer online purchasing will be available on April 28, 2020.  EBT online purchasing will initially be available at Amazon and Walmart.

Both Amazon and Walmart accept EBT for food purchases using CalFresh benefits. Walmart also accepts EBT purchases of non-food items using CalWORKs benefits.  Federal law prohibits using CalFresh benefits to pay delivery charges or other fees for online purchases.  Walmart accepts CalWORKs benefits via EBT to pay for delivery fees. Amazon offers Amazon cash to deposit money to pay for delivery fees or other purchases.

Counties should refer clients to the retailer’s website or the customer service number on the back of the EBT card for assistance with online purchasing.  (ACWDL, April 14, 2020.)