The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) suggests that well-child care should be done in person when possible.  Where community circumstances requiring limiting in-person visits, clinicians are encouraged to prioritize in-person newborn care, and well visits and immunizations of infants and young children through 24 months of age when possible.  DHCS encourages providers to discuss with beneficiaries/parent caregivers attending well-child visits in person to receive necessary immunizations and screenings, and providing other services by telehealth.

Med-Cal policies allow providers to provide medical care by telehealth or telephone.  Providers should inform beneficiaries/parent caregivers of the option to have some elements of well-child visits completed via telehealth and explain that some parts of the physical exam and/or immunization must be done in person.  (DHCS notice, April 24, 2020.)

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is allowing telephonic signatures Every Woman Counts and Family Planning, Access, Care and Treatment program providers enrolling individuals for Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program.  A copy of the final pathology report with the qualifying diagnosis must be submitted.  (DHCS notice, April 17, 2020.)

The Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women program allows qualified individuals immediate access to temporary, no cost Medi-Cal for conditions related to pregnancy while applying for permanent Medi-Cal or other coverage.  The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is allowing telephonic signatures for Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women.  If the individual is not experiencing an urgent prenatal care event which requires immediate care, the individual can apply for Medi-Cal online using the Covered California portal.  (DHCS notice, April 16, 2020.)

The Hospital Presumptive Eligibility Program (HPE) allows qualified individuals immediate access to temporary, no cost Medi-Cal while applying for permanent Medi-Cal or other coverage.  The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is allowing telephonic signatures for Medi-Cal Hospital Presumptive Eligibility.  If the individual is not at the hospital and not experiencing an urgent health event which requires immediate care, the individual can apply for Medi-Cal online using the Covered California portal.  (DHCS notice, April 2, 2020.)

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has temporarily suspended prior authorization requirements for Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service for all Medi-Cal covered benefit categories covered in the state plan that are currently subject to prior authorization.  Providers must still submit Treatment Authorization Requests (TAR) and Service Authorization Requests (SAR).  Providers should state “Patient impacted by COVID-19” on the TAR or SAR.  These TARs and SARs can be submitted after services have been provided, and will be expedited and approved as appropriate.  Providers must still submit supporting documentation to justify the need or medical necessity.

For TARs that have already been authorized that need an extension, providers can update the TAR with the statement “Patient impacted by COVID-19.”  (DHCS Letter, April 2, 2020.)