Title
Receive an oral report from Monterey County Health Department and Department of Social Services regarding outreach efforts and data for the Medi-Cal Expansion.
Presenters: Annette Gallegos, Program Manager II, DSS, and Krista Hanni, Public Health Program Manager II, Health.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Health, Housing, and Human Services (HHHS) Committee of the Board of Supervisors receives an oral report from Health Department and Department of Social Services regarding outreach efforts.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Effective May 01, 2022, a new law in California provided full scope Medi-Cal to adults 50 years of age or older, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, if otherwise eligible. Prior to implementation, the California Department of Health Care Services issued General Information Notices and Frequently Asked Questions to the Medi-Cal restricted scope population in the months of March and April. In addition, the following outreach strategies were implemented within Monterey County:
• Monterey County Department of Social Services provided overviews of the Medi-Cal Expansion to several agencies and BenefitsCal.com electronic application submission for community organization, which included the Monterey County Health Department, Virus Integrated Distribution of Aid (VIDA) Community Health Workers, Access and Functional Needs Aging and Disability Resource Connections, Alliance on Aging, County Immigrant Services Network of Empowerment (CISNE), Salinas Valley Medical PrimeCare, Seaside Family Health Center, Catholic Charities, San Andreas Regional Center and Salinas School District. In addition, information was provided at the Monterey County News Briefing, Radio Bilingue, and has been provided at resource fairs and community events. Social media postings were completed in Facebook and Instagram. In April 2022, the Statewide Automated Welfare System initiated a batch process to transition Older Adult Expansion eligible individuals from restricted scope Medi-Cal to full scope Medi-Cal effective May 01, 2022. The transition included 3,044 individuals in Monterey County.
• Monterey County Health Department has had a staff person who has done considerable Medi-Cal application outreach across the county for several years and has continued this activity, serving as a trainer and coach with the Virus Integrated Distribution of Aid (VIDA) Community Health Workers (CHWs) on how to do Medi-Cal outreach and applications using the BenefitsCal system. VIDA CHWs also received training on BenefitsCal from DSS, a HIPAA refresher, and VIDA CBOs received support to establish a BenefitsCal account. VIDA partners are now offering Medi-Cal application assistance at all VIDA COVID-19 rapid antigen testing sites and offering Medi-Cal application assistance with other outreach efforts. Additional outreach signage is being deployed to encourage community use of the sites and VIDA CHWs. Medi-Cal application assistance through VIDA and MCHD has been provided to over 220 individuals in Monterey County for May and June, 2022.
The oral presentation will provide an overview of the collaboration and data regarding the Medi-Cal Expansion outreach activities in Monterey County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Department of Social Services (DSS), Monterey County Health Department, and Natividad Medical Center.
FINANCING:
There is no effect to the County General Fund resulting from the receipt of this presentation.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This action correlates to the following Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors:
Health & Human Services: Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and health environments in collaboration with communities.
Prepared by Annette Gallegos x8952 and Krista D Hanni x4586
Approved by:
Elsa M. Jimenez Lori A. Medina
Director of Health Director of Social Services