Medi-Cal: enhanced care management: peer support specialists.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Appropriations
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to improve Medi-Cal care for individuals with complex needs, such as mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness, by integrating peer support specialists into the Enhanced Care Management (ECM) program. It requires Medi-Cal managed care plans to include at least one peer support specialist or trainee on their ECM interdisciplinary care teams, and it removes barriers to hiring peer support specialists, particularly regarding criminal background checks. The bill also establishes definitions and timelines for implementation, including a compliance deadline of January 1, 2028.
Key provisions
- Requires ECM providers with a certain caseload to include at least one peer support specialist or trainee on their interdisciplinary care team.
- Removes restrictions on hiring peer support specialists based solely on criminal background checks, allowing consideration of individual circumstances and rehabilitation.
- Allows ECM providers to meet the peer support specialist requirement through various staffing models.
- Recognizes virtual and technology-enabled peer support service delivery.
- Establishes a compliance deadline of January 1, 2028, for ECM providers to fully implement the requirement.
- Defines key terms related to the bill, including ‘Enhanced Care Management,’ ‘ECM provider,’ and ‘Peer Support Specialist.’
- Requires Medi-Cal managed care plans to incorporate the peer support specialist requirement into their contracts and policies.
- Provides a grace period for ECM providers to develop and submit implementation plans to ensure compliance.
Bill text
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Sponsors
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1 on record
Primary sponsor
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