Medi-Cal Managed Care Quality Improvement Reports (CA)

Various reports from the State of California regarding the quality of care provided by Medi-Cal managed care health plans. Plan-specific evaluation reports are also prepared for each individual health plan reviewed.

The California Department of Health Care Services contracts with an external quality review organization to evaluate the care provided to Medi-Cal managed care beneficiaries in the areas of quality, access, and timeliness. Reports are available on the DHCS website, including member satisfaction surveys, encounter data validation study reports, managed care accountability sets, external quality review technical reports, plan-specific evaluation reports, health disparity reports, HEDIS® reports, MCP-specific performance evaluation reports, performance improvement project reports, and preventive services reports.

Outline

  • Introduction: Purpose of the DHCS external quality review organization
  • Available Reports:
    • Member Satisfaction Surveys
    • Encounter Data Validation Study Reports
    • Managed Care Accountability Sets/External Accountability Sets
    • External Quality Review Technical Reports and Plan-Specific Evaluation Reports
    • Health Disparity Reports
    • HEDIS® Reports
    • MCP-Specific Performance Evaluation Reports
    • Performance Improvement Project Reports
    • Preventive Services Report
  • Conclusion: Summary of available reports and their purpose.

In accordance with federal requirements, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) contracts with an external quality review organization (EQRO) to conduct external quality reviews and evaluate the care provided to beneficiaries by Medi-Cal managed care health plans (MCPs) in the areas of quality, access, and timeliness. The EQRO presents these external quality review activities, results, and assessments in reports that help DHCS and Medi-Cal MCPs understand where to focus resources to further improve the quality of care.

Medi-Cal Managed Care Quality Strategy Reports

The Medi-Cal Managed Care Quality Strategy Reports are DHCS’ written strategy for assessing and improving the quality of managed care services offered by all Medi-Cal MCPs.

Member Satisfaction Surveys (CAHPS® Surveys)

Each Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) survey report aggregates the results of CAHPS® surveys, which ask Medi-Cal managed care beneficiaries to evaluate their experiences with their health care health care providers.

Encounter Data Validation Study Reports

Encounter Data Validation (EDV) Study Reports examine the completeness and accuracy of the encounter data submitted to DHCS by the MCPs.

Managed Care Accountability Sets / External Accountability Sets

The Managed Care Accountability Sets (MCAS) / External Accountability Set (EAS) is a set of performance measures that DHCS selects for annual reporting by Medi-Cal MCPs.

External Quality Review Technical Reports and Plan-Specific Evaluation Reports

The EQRO annually prepares an independent external quality review technical report that analyzes and evaluates aggregated information on the health care services provided by Medi-Cal MCPs. As part of the external quality review technical report, the EQRO prepares a plan-specific evaluation report of each of MCP.

Access these reports on the Medi-Cal Managed Care External Quality Review Technical Reports with Plan-Specific Evaluation Reports.

Health Disparity Reports

The Health Disparity Reports identify and understand health disparities affecting California’s Medi-Cal managed care members and are based on focused studies conducted annually by the EQRO. The reports analyze Managed Care Accountability Set (MCAS) measure results reported by Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) for various demographic categories.

HEDIS® Reports

The Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) Aggregate Report, also referred to as Performance Measurement Reports, provides performance rates of MCPs during a reporting year and trending using previous years’ data. The report also compares plan-specific and aggregated rates to national benchmarks.

MCP-Specific Performance Evaluation Reports

The MCP-Specific Performance Evaluation Reports are also referred to as Plan-Specific Performance Evaluation Reports.

Access these reports on the Medi-Cal Managed Care Quality Improvement Reports webpage

Performance Measures and HEDIS® Reports

Access Medi-Cal Managed Care’s annual performance measure, External Accountability Set, on the Medi-Cal Managed Care Quality Improvement Reports webpage.

The following performance measure results are also available on our website:

Performance Improvement Project Reports

Plan-Specific Performance Evaluation Reports

Plan-Specific Performance Evaluation Reports are also referred to as MCP-Specific Performance Evaluation Reports.

Access the reports on the  Medi-Cal Managed Care Quality Improvement Reports: External Quality Review Technical Reports and Plan-Specific Evaluation Reports.

Quality Improvement Project Reports

Quality Improvement Project (QIP) Reports are available on the Medi-Cal Managed Care Quality Improvement Reports: Quality Improvement Project Reports webpage.

Technical Reports

Technical Reports are available on the Medi-Cal Managed Care Quality Improvement Reports: External Quality Review Technical Reports webpage.

Preventive Services Report

The 2021 Preventive Services Report and Executive Summary assist with identifying and monitoring appropriate utilization of preventive services for children in Medi-Cal Managed Care.

The 2020 Preventive Services Report and Addendum assesses the provision of preventive services by pediatric Medi-Cal managed care members.

Payer Notice regarding the implementation of Senate Bill 855, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Coverage

Carenodes Health Enterprise
Office of the Executive

Dear Health Plan Representative,

Please see attached Notice regarding the implementation of Senate Bill 855, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Coverage.



Carenodes Health Enterprise 

Office of the Executive 


Dear Health Plan Representative, 



Please see attached Payer Notice regarding the implementation of Senate Bill 855, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Coverage.


 


February 25 , 2021

 

TO:  PAYER PARTNERS

 

 

RE:  DMHC All Plan Letter directing commercial full-service health plans and  specialized health plans offering behavioral health services to demonstrate  compliance with the amended California Mental Health Parity Act (SB 855, 2020).

 

On Jan. 5, the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) issued All Plan Letter (APL) 21-002 to all commercial full-service health plans and specialized health plans offering behavioral health services that are regulated by the department. The guidance is designed to ensure health plans comply with amendments made to Senate Bill (SB) 855 (Wiener, D-San Francisco), the mental health and substance use parity law that took effect on Jan. 1.   


SB 855 requires commercial health plans and insurers to provide full coverage for the treatment of all mental health conditions and substance use disorders. It also establishes specific standards for what constitutes medically necessary treatment and criteria for the use of clinical guidelines. The APL outlines filing and compliance requirements of plans, including revised policies and procedures to accommodate new coverage requirements and implementation procedures related to utilization review of covered benefits. 


In addition, the 2020-21 state budget approved strategies to strengthen enforcement of behavioral health parity laws, including focused investigations of commercial health plans regulated by DMHC. These investigations, which are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2021, will help DMHC further evaluate health plan compliance with parity and assess whether enrollees have consistent access to medically necessary behavioral health care services. 





Sincerely,

 




 

A Alex Yarijanian

Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Alex@carenodes.com

(310) 626-0149 (main)

(310) 525-5498 (direct)




Health Care Consumer Assistance

Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) Help Center
Assistance with problems with health coverage and with health plan grievances and appeals.
http://www.Healthhelp.ca.gov 


California Department of Insurance
Assistance with health insurance problems for non-managed care plans
1-800-927-4357
http://www.insurance.ca.gov 


Health Consumer Alliance
Consumer assistance program to help people with low incomes get the health care they need.
1-888-804-3536
http://www.healthconsumer.org/


HICAP (California Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program)
Information, counseling, and assistance for people who have or will soon have Medicare
1-800-434-0222
http://www.aging.ca.gov/hicap/


MediCaManaged Care Ombudsman
Assistance for people enrolling in or changing Medi-Cal managed care plans
1-888-452-8609
http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/MMCDOfficeoftheOmbudsman.aspx





Physical Therapy Referrals: Not Needed

Physical therapist services are generally covered as a basic benefit by all major health insurance companies. Ask your physical therapist to contact your insurance company to determine your specific benefits.

Physical therapist services are generally covered as a basic benefit by all major health insurance companies. Ask your physical therapist to contact your insurance company to determine your specific benefits.

CAN I RECEIVE PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES WITHOUT A PHYSICIAN’S REFERRAL?

Consumers are not required to have a referral or diagnosis in order to receive physical therapist services in the State of California. Physical therapist services may be obtained without a physician’s referral if you are a cash carrying patient, receiving treatment for up to 45 calendar days/12 visits, receiving health and wellness services, or if you are a UnitedHealthCare or Medicare beneficiary.

Please note: some health insurance companies require a referral in order for your provider to be paid. Please confirm your benefit requirements by reviewing your coverage documents or calling member services of your respective insurance company. The contact number to your insurance company is listed on the back of your health insurance identification card.

The California Physical Therapy Practice Act requires all licensed physical therapists to disclose (in writing) the following information to all consumers receiving physical therapist treatment without a physician or surgeon referral or diagnosis:

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Under California law, you may continue to receive direct physical therapy treatment services for a period of up to 45 calendar days or 12 visits whichever occurs first.


Under California law, you may continue to receive direct physical therapy treatment services for a period of up to 45 calendar days or 12 visits, whichever occurs first, after which time a physical therapist may continue providing you with physical therapy treatment services only after receiving, from a person holding a physician and surgeon’s certificate issued by the Medical Board of California or by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, or from a person holding a certificate to practice podiatric medicine from the California Board of Podiatric Medicine and acting within his or her scope of practice, a dated signature on the physical therapist’s plan of care indicating approval of the physical therapist’s plan of care and that an in-person patient examination and evaluation was conducted by the physician and surgeon or podiatrist.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Noridian Healthcare Solutions is the current Medicare Administrative Contractor for all healthcare services provided in California
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Health Insurance and Physical Therapy (For consumers)
Consumer Guide to Health Insurance