DHCS issued new income and poverty caps under the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act. As of 1/1/15, the community spouse resource allowance is now $119,220; the increased spousal income allowance/minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance is $2981/month. DHCS ACWDL 15-04 (1/20/15).
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
Medicare
Materials to be Provided with Medi-Cal Application and Renewal Forms
DHCS issued guidelines about which materials must be offered to households at the time of application and at the time of renewal. The set of documents depends on applicant type: New Household, Medicare Savings Program, Non-MAGI, Renewal. The letter provides the lists of documents. DHCS MEDIL I 14-54.
DHCS MEDIL I 14-52: Translation of the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary, and Qualifying Individuals Application (MC 14A) (10/24/14)
The Department issued this letter informing counties that the updated application for the Medicare Savings Programs has been translated in the 12 threshold languages.
DHCS APL 14-007: Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (6/26/14)
The Department issued this letter to Medi-Cal Managed Care plans providing guidance on D-SNPs as the state adopts the Coordinated Care Initiative and Cal MediConnect for dual eligibles. D-SNPs in non-CCI counties will continue to operate per contract. Contracts for D-SNPs in CCI counties depend on whether that D-SNP is also a Cal MediConnect plan.
DHCS ACWDL 14-25: The Extension of the Qualifying Individual 1 (QI-1) Program and Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) Sunset Date (5/6/14)
This letter notifies counties that the QI-1 and TMA programs, which were originally scheduled to sunset on March 31, 2014, were extended to March 31, 2015, by the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014. Counties are advised to continue accepting applications and determining eligibility for both programs until DHCS notifies them otherwise.
ACL 14-25: Coordinated Care Initiative, Care Coordination Team (3/27/14)
In 2012, the Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI) was implemented. It is a model of care includes person-centered coordination of components, one of which is Interdisciplinary Care Teams (ICT). It combines home and community-based, primary care, and other Medicare and Medi-Cal services into one benefit package delivered through an organized delivery system administered by a participating Managed Care Health Plan. This letter goes over the ICT process and rules. [Download]