On October 20, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) a
new Section 1115 demonstration request, entitled the California
Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable
Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT)
demonstration and a
proposed amendment to the California Advancing and Innovating
Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Section 1115 demonstration related to
transitional rent services.
BH-CONNECT
The BH-CONNECT demonstration builds on investments and policy
changes currently underway in California that are designed to
expand access to community-based behavioral health care and
improve outcomes for Medi-Cal members living with the most
significant behavioral health needs.
The BH-CONNECT demonstration seeks to standardize and scale
evidence-based models so Medi-Cal members with the greatest needs
receive upstream, field-based care delivered in the community;
avoid unnecessary emergency department visits, hospitalizations,
and stays in inpatient and residential facilities; reduce
involvement with the justice system; and report improved status.
To achieve these goals, the BH-CONNECT demonstration includes
some components that will be implemented on a statewide basis and
other components that will be implemented on a county opt-in
basis that are subject to specified requirements.
CalAIM Transitional Rent Amendment
DHCS is seeking an amendment to the CalAIM Section 1115
demonstration to provide up to six months of transitional rent
services to eligible individuals who are homeless or at risk of
homelessness and transitioning out of institutional levels of
care, congregate residential settings, correctional facilities,
the child welfare system, recuperative care facilities,
short-term post-hospitalization housing, transitional housing,
homeless shelters or interim housing, as well as those who meet
the criteria for unsheltered homelessness or for a Full Service
Partnership (FSP) program.
Transitional rent services will be available for a period of no
more than six months; must be cost-effective; and will be
provided only if it is determined to be medically appropriate
using clinical and other health-related social needs criteria.
Transitional rent services will be voluntary for Medi-Cal managed
care plans to offer and for Medi-Cal members to use.
