As California begins to implement the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medi-Cal is experiencing a re-design of its programs and delivery system.
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), in partnership with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has initiated special waiver and demonstration programs designed to bring the state in line with the goals of federal healthcare reform.
The state is proactively moving toward healthcare reform using the Medi-Cal managed care network as a key element, and re-configuring many programs with the Medi-Cal managed care delivery system at the core.
Re-designed Medi-Cal programs in 2013 include:
Up until this recent mandate, RHC re-certifications had been a lower priority for the district offices, and many RHCs had not been surveyed in years. As a result, we’ve noticed that many sites have become a bit lax in their adherence to RHC requirements. We are aware of one RHC that received a 42-page Plan of Correction for deficiencies after having a surprise re-certification site visit. 
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is an ambitious endeavor to improve health care in the United States. One of the ACA’s key features is the Accountable Care Organization (ACO). ACOs will contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide comprehensive coordinated services for a defined population of Medicare beneficiaries. If they meet quality standards and reduce costs, ACOs will share in the savings.